June Buttry, 91, of Carmi, Illinois, formerly of Herald, Illinois, died Sunday, October 11, 2015, at Wabash Christian Retirement Center in Carmi. June worked for a time at the Ainsbrook Manufacturing Company (the “factory”) in Carmi, and she was a Certified Nurse Assistant and worked many years at the Carmi Township Hospital, and later as an in-home caregiver.

Survivors include daughter Diana (Bob) Russell of Carmi; brothers Rick (Karen) Bradley of Quaker City, Ohio, Bill (Kay) Bradley of Norris City, Illinois, Sam Bradley of Carmi; sisters Savannah (Kenneth) Catlin of West Virginia, Jackie Bywaters and Hope Lingle, both of Ohio; brother-in-law Jim (Mary) Buttry of Herald; grandchildren Craig, Mitch, Sherrie, Todd and Christopher; and numerous great grandchildren.

Visitation is 10:30 – 11:30 am, Thursday, October 15, 2015, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi, immediately followed by graveside committal at Herald Cemetery in Herald, Illinois.

79-year-old Marilyn Ruth (Odom) Elliott of Fairfield died at 3:12 a.m. Monday, October 12, 2015 at Phoenix Rehabilitation & Nursing in Carmi.  Marilyn was an FCHS graduate.  She was married to Edwin Elliott for 59 years.  He preceded her in death.

She is survived by a son Mark Elliott of Phoenix, AZ; a daughter Gail (Bob) Redfern of Blythewood, SC; two grandchildren Camille & Bobby; a sister Margaret (Al) Erwin of Chandler, AZ; 4 nieces and 2 nephews.

Per Marilyn’s request, her body will be cremated and no formal services will be held.  Ingram Funeral Home in Albion is entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Phoenix Rehabilitation & Nursing in Carmi in Marilyn’s name and will be accepted at Ingram Funeral Home in Albion or Phoenix Rehabilitation in Carmi.

A benefit golf scramble – for Rachel Short – raised more than $5,100 for the young Grayville mother battling cancer. The tourney, held Saturday, Oct. 10 at Mt. Carmel Municipal Golf Course, was organized by Tad and Heather Taylor, of Calvin. “We love Rachel and her family, and wanted to help,” said Tad. “We were thrilled with the turnout. Everyone was so generous. It’s amazing how people work together to help when there is a need. That’s one of the great things about living in a small community.” The foursome of Dean Thomason and Mark Duncan, both of Browns, T.J. Scott of Grayville, and Mike West, of Albion won the tourney at 14 under. Two teams tied for second. The foursomes of Tad and Heather Taylor, Chad Alldredge and Brian Kuhn; and Ryan Isaac, Kevin McNeill, Dale Robson and Brian Hallam, tied with 13 under. Tournament Winners pictured above with Rachel Short.
Rachel Short congratulates the winning foursome at Saturday’s benefit golf scramble. The scramble, held at the Municipal Golf Course in Mt. Carmel, was for Short, who is  battling cancer. From left: Mark Duncan of Browns; Mike West of Albion; Dean Thomason of Browns; Short of Grayville; and T.J. Scott of Grayville.

51-year-old Vicki E. Thomas of Fairfield was jailed Monday night after she allegedly threatened to stab her daughter during an altercation at No. 1 Southview Circle. Thomas is accused of battering her daughter, 21-year-old Jamie Asher before pulling a knife and threatening to stab her. Thomas is currently out on parole after serving part of a three-year prison sentence out of Madison County for a stabbing.

Three Carmi residents have been jailed on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop on U.S. Rt. 45 at the south edge of Wayne County. The suspects are Michelle Neaveille, 23, Bobby Morrill, 38 and Earl Roark, 40. During the traffic stop, police say they recovered nine baggies of suspected meth and other items of drug paraphernalia. A total of 19 grams of suspected meth were seized from Michelle Neaveille’s Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Wayne County Sheriff’s Police made the bust. Pictured left to right are Michelle Neaveille, Bobby Morrill and Earl Roark

51-year-old Terry Conner of 1301 S.W. 7th St. in Fairfield has been jailed on charges he was in possession of marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Fairfield City Police arrested Conner after executing a search warrant at his home. Additional charges include unlawful delivery of more than ten but less than thirty grams of marijuana.

The Jasper Grade School and Jasper Athletic Association is inviting the public to the first basketball game of the season tonight. Prior to the varsity match, a new scorer’s bench will be dedicated in memory of Robert Vaughan. The Lady Polecats open the season at home against Edwards County. Game time is 6 p.m.

The Fairfield Coin Club awarded scholarships to Frontier Community College students Katie Weaver and Ashlee Hart. Pictured left to right: Lori Noe, Coordinator of Financial Aid at FCC; Katie Weaver, and Roberta Marshall, Fairfield Coin Club Secretary.

The Fairfield Coin Club has awarded two $500 scholarships as part of their 45th annual show and auction. The recipients are Katie Weaver of Cisne and Ashlee Ann Hart of Wayne City.

Visitation for Reid E. Blackledge will be noon to 1 pm, Saturday, October 17th, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi.

A memorial service will be at 1 pm. Burial with military rites will be in Centerville Cemetery. The Cook Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

With a 5-3 vote, the Fairfield City Council Tuesday night approved a $40,000 loan from the city’s revolving loan fund to Dr. Walter Dawkins. Dr. Dawkins is in the process of re-establishing his dental practice in Fairfield at the former offices of Dr. E. G. Dickey in downtown Fairfield. The loan will be used to make the building handicap accessible.

With one no vote, the Fairfield City Council approved spending $13,000 from TIF district funds to repay the Fairfield Industrial Trust for their purchase of the former Dr. E.G. Dickey offices. The Trust acquired the building to help Dr. Walter Dawkins re-establish his dental practice.

Fairfield City Police arrested two local residents Tuesday night following a traffic stop on N.E. Third Street. The driver, 39-year-old Barnabus McGill was arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and having no valid driver’s license. His passenger, 39-year-old Ronald W. Chapman was wanted on a Clay County warrant. Both were lodged in the Wayne County jail.

Fairfield City Patrolman Warren Musgrave has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Chief Keith Colclasure sought the promotion because Cameron Simpson was the only Sergeant on the force. Pictured is Chief Keith Colclasure (right) presenting Warren Musgrave with his new Sergeant’s Stripes during Tuesday night’s Fairfield City Council meeting.

On a vote of 6 – 2, the Fairfield City Council agreed they would not move forward with plans to establish an ordinance that would allow the operation of golf carts on city streets.

The Fairfield City Council Tuesday night spent $9,895 for the purchase of a fire extinguisher training device. The device uses a video screen to project the likeness of a fire. A special five pound extinguisher uses an electronic signal to simulate the discharge of a dry powder extinguisher. The system is clean and requires no chemical recharging.

The City of Fairfield is considering the purchase of a Dura Patch machine that can be used to repair potholes around the city. At a cost of $50,200, the device uses a combination of an emulsion, diesel fuel and rock to fill in potholes. A demonstration of the device was presented at the beginning of Tuesday night’s council meeting.

59-year-old Marion, IL resident, Dwight David Talbert died at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 in Marion, IL. He was disabled.

Survivors include a sister, Angela Michelle and husband Jay Vineyard of McLeansboro and his parents, James Dwight and Vivian Talbert.

Services for Dwight David Talbert will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Sims Congregational Church with burial in Thomason Cemetery.
Visitation will be noon until the time of service at the church.

The Richardson Funeral Home of Wayne City is in charge of all the arrangements.

John Edward Baxley, age 78 of Allendale, IL died on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel, IL. He was a US Army Veteran. He had been an iron worker, oilfield driller and truck driver.

John Ed is survived by two daughters: Angie Baxley and Cathy Ann Baxley of Irving, TX, four sons: John N. (Dee) Baxley of Allendale, IL, James (Mary) Baxley of Kauffman, TX, John A. (Dawn) Baxley of Allendale, IL, Rick (Angie) Baxley of St. Francisville, IL, one sister, Lola (Dick) Bertrum of Mt. Carmel, IL, 15 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and a special friend, Wanda Harms.

Funeral services for John Edward Baxley will be 1 p.m. Saturday, October 17 at the Ingram Funeral Home in Allendale with burial in Highland Cemetery at Mt. Carmel with military rites.

Visitation will be held from 11AM to 1PM on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Ingram Funeral Home in Allendale, IL.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or Illinois Department of Natural Resources and will be accepted at the Ingram Funeral Home in Allendale.

John Ed loved wearing bib overalls. All of his family and friends are encouraged to dress casually for the visitation and funeral to honor his memory.

77-year-old Wayne City resident, Lois Leathers Shreve died at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 14 at her home in Wayne City.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, James F. Shreve of Wayne City; four children, Angela Clark and husband Dallas of Wayne City, Fred Shreve and wife Paulette of Bethalto, IL, Terry Shreve and wife Marti of Snelllville, GA and Kenny Shreve of McLeansboro; four sisters, Irene Huber of St. Petersburg, FL, Rose Emke of Rochelle, IL, Helen Shirley of Mt. Vernon and Pat Cagle of Mt. Vernon, IL along with special caregivers, Tammy, Pam, Vicki, Tracey and Tina; nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Shreve will be cremated and a celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A private burial of ashes will be held at Thomason Cemetery at Wayne City at a later date.

Visitation will be noon until the time of service on Monday, Oct. 19 at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

The John A. Logan College Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of President Mike Dreith on Wednesday evening, Oct. 14. The board held a special meeting and voted 5-2 to accept the resignation. The terms of the resignation were not disclosed. According to JALC, both Dreith and the board agreed it was in each party’s interest to accept the resignation, allowing Dreith to pursue other professional opportunities. Dreith served as president of JALC for three years, beginning in 2012. Prior to his position at John A. Logan College, Dreith had served as president of Frontier Community College in Fairfield and a community college in West Texas.

The noose used to execute notorious Southern Illinois gangster Charlie Birger will go on display in a one-time exhibit this Sunday. The noose will be displayed during a free event this Sunday from 2 – 4 at the Hanna House Museum at 101 E. Center Street in Fairfield. The noose was fashioned by G. Phil Hanna, a noted “humanitarian executioner” from Epworth. It was used to hang Charlie Birger on April 18, 1928 for the murder of Joe Adams, the mayor of West City, IL.

A 16-year-old Mt. Vernon, IL girl was critically injured Wednesday night when she was struck by a car at the intersection of North Tenth and North Street in Mt. Vernon. Her name has not been released because of her age. The driver of the car that struck her, 28-year-old Clay Gibson of Mt. Vernon was not hurt. The victim was airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis.

37-year-old Michelle Baker of Mt. Vernon has died from injuries sustained in a Tuesday morning crash on Interstate 64 near Damiansville. Baker drove her car into the back of a truck that had broken down and was parked on the right shoulder of the Interstate.

Officials with the Illinois Lottery say the state budget impasse means all winners of more than $600 will not be paid immediately. Officials said that by the end of the day today, the Lottery’s check writing account will be exhausted and there is no legal authority to replenish it.

$700 in cash will be awarded at ARF’s HOWLoween Hairball on Saturday, Oct. 24. The event will start at 7 p.m. at the Fairfield Elks Lodge. Torn and Frayed, a Wayne City-based rock band will return for their 13th performance. Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased at Kincaid’s Home Décor Department or the Chop Shop.

Three Wayne County men were arrested late Thursday night on methamphetamine-related charges. Wayne County Sheriff’s Police along with officials with the Wayne County Probation department went to the home of Brattan T. Burge in rural Bluford shortly before midnight to conduct a probation check. Inside, police say they recovered suspected methamphetamine, bath salts, digital scales and brass knuckles. Brattan T. Burge, 24 of rural Bluford faces charges of possession of a counterfeit drug, possession of meth, drug paraphernalia and unlawful use of weapons for being in possession of a set of brass knuckles. Others arrested on charges of being in possession of meth and drug paraphernalia were James T. Burge, 47 and James Ryker Burge, 21 of Wayne City. All three suspects have been lodged in the Wayne County jail pending the filing of formal charges and setting of bond. Pictured left to right are James T. Burge, James R. Burge and Brattan Burge.

The former Mill Shoals, Ill. Township Clerk was jailed Thursday afternoon on a White County, Ill. warrant charging her with escape. Shannon L. Woodrow, 42, was taken into custody as part of a warrant sweep conducted by the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.  White County Sheriff Doug Maier added that Woodrow was also wanted in Saline, Franklin, Jefferson and Hamilton Counties on various theft and bad check charges. In Jefferson County, her bond is $15,000 cash. After being sentenced to jail for theft, she failed to report to the sheriff’s department to begin serving her time. She has been sought by local police since May.

59-year-old Lee Ray Shoemaker of Oakdale, IL was injured Thursday when the semi he was driving on Interstate 64 in rural Wayne County ran off the road and overturned in a ditch. He was taken to Fairfield Memorial Hospital following the 9 a.m. accident.

Dr. Mike Dreith will receive a severance package worth $290,000 after agreeing to step down as president of John A. Logan College in Carterville. He had 20 months left on his contract. Dr. Dreith is a former president at Frontier Community College in Fairfield.

55-year-old Robbie Bias of Laurel Street in Fairfield has been jailed on charges he was in possession of heroin. Wayne County Sheriff’s police found the suspected drugs after stopping Bias’ car near Wayne City for speeding 85 in a 55 mph zone.

The Fairfield Community High School Board met Thursday night. Members voted to hire spring coaches for the current school year. They include Justin Townsend – head boys track, Sally Kirk – head girls track, Tim Ukena – assistant track, Bill Rogers, head baseball, Tonya Conrad, head softball and Jenna Turpin, assistant softball.

A young Fairfield, Ill. man was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle accident in Marion County, Ill. The victim has been identified as Tyler Bozarth, 25 of Fairfield. According to Marion County Sheriff’s officials, Bozarth died when his vehicle missed a curve in the small Marion County community of Walnut Hill and crashed around 7:45 a.m. Illinois State Police have assigned an accident reconstruction officer to investigate the crash. Tyler worked at Nascote Industries in Nashville, Ill. Funeral services for Tyler Bozarth are pending at the Johnson & Vaughan Funeral Home in Fairfield. He was the son of Mike and Barbara Bozarth of Fairfield.

Three Fairfield doctors have opened up a new medical service in Salem. Dr. Steven Scott handles operations for ICExpress which provides urgent care for temporary non-life threatening medical problems. Dr. Jed Jones, Dr. Andrew Britt and Dr. Scott are offering services in their office in the Westgate shopping center in Salem. ICExpress is open on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays from 8am to 8pm, with plans to expand services to seven days a week at some time in the future.

District 19 state police held an Alcohol Countermeasure enforcement or ACE patrol on October 10 in White County. Troopers wrote a total of 5 citations and 22 written warnings. Two people were cited for speeding, one for seat belt use, one person was wanted on warrant, and one person was cited for driving with a suspended drivers license.

Three Wayne County men were arrested late Thursday night on methamphetamine-related charges. Wayne County Sheriff’s Police along with officials with the Wayne County Probation department went to the home of Brattan T. Burge in rural Bluford shortly before midnight to conduct a probation check. Inside, police say they recovered suspected methamphetamine, bath salts, digital scales and brass knuckles. Brattan T. Burge, 24 of rural Bluford faces charges of possession of a counterfeit drug, possession of meth, drug paraphernalia and unlawful use of weapons for being in possession of a set of brass knuckles. Others arrested on charges of being in possession of meth and drug paraphernalia were James T. Burge, 47 and James Ryker Burge, 21 of Wayne City. All three suspects have been lodged in the Wayne County jail pending the filing of formal charges and setting of bond.

The noose used to execute notorious Southern Illinois gangster Charlie Birger will go on display in a one-time exhibit this Sunday. The noose will be displayed during a free event from 2 – 4 at the Hanna House Museum at 101 E. Center Street in Fairfield. The noose was fashioned by G. Phil Hanna, a noted “humanitarian executioner” from Epworth. It was used to hang Charlie Birger on April 18, 1928 for the murder of Joe Adams, the mayor of West City, IL.

The Fairfield Park District will be sponsoring a night of music tonight at Leo French Park. The free concert featuring Heather and Marty from Effingham, will run from 5:30pm to 7:30 at the amphitheater behind the swimming pool. The park district invites the community to come out and enjoy a night of live music and view the improvements around the park.

80-year-old former Decatur, IL resident, Joyce Ann Wilson of Bloomington, IL died at 3:20 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at Heartland Healthcare in Decatur. She had worked at General Electric, Grigoleit and F.W. Means and was a member of the Maranatha Assembly of God Church in Decatur.

Survivors include a son, Audie Wilson and wife Karen of Bloomington; grandchildren Michael Wilson and wife Kelly of Bloomington, Amy Wilson of Peoria and a great-grandson, Dylan Wilson of Bloomington.

A visitation for Joyce Ann Wilson will be 6 – 8 Monday evening, Oct. 19 at the Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur, IL.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be 1 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

Tyler Grant Bozarth, 25 of Mt. Vernon, formerly of Fairfield, died Saturday morning, October 17, 2015 in an automobile accident near Walnut Hill, IL.

He had graduated from Fairfield Community High School and Frontier Community College, and attended SIU Carbondale. Tyler was a Quality Technician at Nascote Industries in Nashville, IL.

He is survived by his parents Mike (Barbara) Bozarth of Fairfield, brothers Brandon Bozarth of Cyprus, TX and Jared Bozarth of Fairfield, a sister Katelyn Bozarth of Fairfield, and grandparents Robert (Doris) Bozarth of Cisne.

Funeral services for Tyler Bozarth will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 10 AM at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5-7 PM at the funeral home.

Three Southern Illinois residents received serious injuries Sunday morning when the van they were in ran off Interstate 64 in rural Wayne County, Ill., overturned and burst into flames. Illinois State Police report Robert L. Meek, 47 of Pana, Ill was traveling westbound on I-64 near the Wayne City exit when his 1995 GMC van ran into the median, struck an embankment and went airborne. When the van hit the ground, it overturned, came to rest on its wheels and caught fire. The driver, Robert Meek was able to escape the burning van, along with a passenger, Tonya M. Keller, 36 of Pana. A second passenger, Jeremy D. Keller, 43 of Pana had to be extricated from the wreckage by members of the Wayne City Fire Department and local ambulance crews. Robert Meek and Jeremy Keller were taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon Ill. Tonya Keller was airlifted from the scene to an Evansville hospital.

A young Fairfield man was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle accident in Marion County. The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Tyler Bozarth, the son of Barbara and Mike Bozarth. According to Marion County Sheriff’s officials, Bozarth died when his vehicle missed a curve in the small Marion County community of Walnut Hill and crashed. Funeral services for Tyler Bozarth will be held Wednesday at the Johnson and Vaughan Funeral Home in Fairfield.

The noose used to execute notorious Southern Illinois gangster Charlie Birger will be on display at the Hanna House Museum in Fairfield today from 2 until 4 p.m. The infamous noose was purchased by Randy Henson of Fairfield for $14,000 last June. This is a one-time exhibit.

A benefit dinner for Kathy Bramlett will be held today starting at 11 a.m. at the Wayne County Floral Hall. The menu will be pork chop or BBQ, green beans, cheesy potatoes, apple sauce, dessert, and drink. The meal is by donation only. All proceeds go towards Kathy’s medical expenses.

The Fairfield Retail Merchants will be having their annual Witches Night Out this Tuesday, October 20th from 5-8 p.m. At 7:30, there will be a witch cackle contest. At 7:45, the costume judging will be held. Categories include Best Broom, Best Witch Hair, Best fingernails, Scariest Hat, Scariest Costume, Witchiest Boots, Witchiest Nose, Most Glamorous Hat, Most Glamorous Costume, Most Creative Hat and Most Creative Costume.

The public is invited to a Star Party this Tuesday on the campus of Frontier Community College. Science Instructor Ken Harris will have his telescopes set up from 7-8:30 p.m. on the lawn between the Richard L. Mason Building and the U of I Extension Office. If it is a clear night, those attending should be able to see the first quarter moon, stars, globular clusters, and nebulous patches. Attendees are encouraged to bring their binoculars.

Shirley Jean Kell, 77, of Grayville, Illinois, died Friday, October 16, 2015, at Wabash Christian Retirement Center in Carmi, Illinois. She was born May 20, 1938, in Wabash County, Illinois, the daughter of Claris and Gladys (Brent) Brines. Shirley worked for many years as a seamstress for Johnnye Manufacturing Company in Albion, Illinois. She attended the Free Methodist Church in Cowling, Illinois, and later the House of Prayer in Albion.

Survivors include sons Jeff (Tracey) Kell of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Roger Kell of Irving, Texas; daughters LaDonna McNew of Grayville, Reba Powers of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Alice (Randy) Hutchison of Carmi; brothers Delbert (Sharon) Brines of Grayville, Donnie (Marsha) Brines of Cowling, Ray (Linda) Brines of Grayville; sisters Pat Clodfelter, Nancy (Don) Daniel, all of Grayville, Betty (Terry) Doty of Cowling, Sally (Danny) Daniel, Mary (Larry) Hutchcraft, all of Grayville.

Grandchildren Stacy (Andy) Robinette, Cliff (Jennifer) McNew, Phillip (Rachel) Kell, Doyle (Ashley) Kell, Roger Kell, Dakota Kell, Catlin Kell, Heather (Tom) Dunn, Matt (Rachel) Koenig, Jason Koenig, Lindsey (Adam) Gish, Nate Kell, Kenzie Kell, Alli Kell.

Great grandchildren, Megan Kell, Leah Kell, Hailey Kell, Luke Kell, Eldon Kell, Josie Dunn, Max Dunn, Violet Dunn, Lexy Robinette, Savannah Robinette, Annie Robinette, Waylon Robinette, Ainsley Robinette, Clara McNew, Elizabeth NcNew.

Visitation and funeral are Monday, October 19, 2015, at Cook Funeral Chapel in Grayville. Visitation is at 1 pm and funeral is at 3 pm. Burial is in Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

58-year-old McLeansboro resident, Carol Glenn died at 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 at her home. She had been a CNA and had worked for Bridges and Community Care of Mount Vernon, IL. She was a member of the Family Worship Center of Johnston City, IL.

Survivors include two sons, Steven Graves and wife Desiree of McLeansboro and David Joe Graves and wife Ashley of McLeansboro; two daughters, Felicia Glenn and Teresa Vailes of McLeansboro; three sisters, Linda Chasteen and husband Charlie of McLeansboro, Katie Lenard and husband Robert of McLeansboro and Carolyn Hamric of Winfield, AL.

Funeral services for Carol Glenn will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in Crouch Cemetery at Belle Prairie, IL.

Visitation will be 6 – 8 Wednesday evening, Oct. 21 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.

Norma E. Straub, 97 of Geff, Illinois died Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Jenny Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. For the past four years she had been a resident of Brookstone Estates in Fairfield, Illinois. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include her son John M. (Pansy) Straub of Geff, sister Ruby Chloe Courtright of Fairfield, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services for Norma E. Straub will be Saturday, October 24, 2015 starting at 2:00 PM at Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.
Visitation will start at 12:00 noon on this same date and run for two hours prior to the service. Burial will be at Bestow Cemetery in Geff, Illinois following the service.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Geff Outreach Ministries, or the Geff Ruritan Club or a charitable organization of the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.

RADIOACTIVE CONTAINER MISSING

Officials with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) are asking the public for help in locating a missing radioactive oil well logging source holder. The device, owned by Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc. of Fairfield, Ill. went missing last Friday. The locked steel container, which houses the radioactive well logging source holder, was last known to be in a company vehicle. The source holder is part of a larger tool used to assess geological formations in oil and gas, groundwater, mineral and geothermal exploration. The steel container is silver in color, 12 inches high and 14 inches in diameter. It weighs 75 pounds. The container is labeled on two sides as “DOT Radioactive Yellow II” with the radiation symbol and manufactures’ name “Hopewell Designs, Inc.” on its base. The inner source holder is about 4 inches long and two inches wide and labeled “Danger Radioactive Material, Do Not Handle, Notify Civil Authorities”. IEMA radiological response teams and Wayne County Well Surveys workers are searching the company’s job sites and transportation routes in an effort to locate the container. The search is focused in Clay, Cumberland, Edwards, Effingham, Franklin, Hamilton, Jasper, Jefferson, Macon, Marion, Moultrie, Richland, Shelby, Wabash, Wayne and White Counties in Illinois and Gibson and Pike Counties in Indiana. The missing source, which is housed within two containers, is listed as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) category 3 Source. If unshielded and not safely managed or securely protected, exposure to the source could cause permanent injury to a person who handled it or who was otherwise in contact with it. Anyone finding the device should contact their nearest law enforcement agency.

It was a deadly weekend across Southern Illinois highways. 25-year-old Tyler Bozarth of Fairfield died Saturday morning when the pickup truck he was driving missed a curve in Walnut Hill and struck a road sign. Police said Bozarth was ejected from the wreckage and was pronounced dead at the scene. 64-year-old Lesa M. Grover of Carrier Mills died Saturday evening when the car she was a passenger in ran off of Ill. Rt. 13 near Harco Road and overturned. The driver and one other passenger received major injuries in the crash.

Three Southern Illinois residents were seriously injured Sunday when the van they were in ran off I-64 in rural Wayne County, overturned and caught fire. The injured were Robert L. Meek, 47, Jeremy D. Keller, 43 and Tonya M. Keller, 36 – all of Pana. Robert Meek and Jeremy Keller were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital. Tonya Keller was airlifted from the scene to an Evansville hospital.

The state’s budget impasse has led to some vendors stopping services provided to state facilities. One hardware store in Springfield has closed the state’s account until there is a budget. The store provided propane tanks for floor maintenance machines and forklifts. The state is far behind in paying its utility bills as well.

Fairfield Retail Merchants will host their annual Witches Night Out Tuesday night from 5 – 8. Contests and costume judging will begin at 7:30 at 114 E. Main Street – the old Harris building.

The public is invited to a Star Party Tuesday night on the campus of Frontier Community College. Science instructor Ken Harris will have his telescopes set up from 7 – 8:30 on the lawn between the Richard L. Mason Building and the U of I Extension office. Those attending are encouraged to bring their binoculars.

Lifelong Wayne County resident, 85 year old Betty Stull died at at 3:15 AM, Sunday October 18, 2015 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL. She was a seamstress.

Betty is survived by a son David Stull of Chenoa, IL, daughters Marcia Zeller of Fairbury, IL, Diane Williams of Amery, WI, and Connie Stull of Fairfield, IL, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 2 sisters, Eva Bottorff of Mt. Vernon, IL and Mary Lou Niccum of Fairfield.

Funeral services for Betty Stull will be held at 1 PM, Thursday, October 22, 2105 at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, with visitation from 11 AM until the time of service.

Burial will be in the Bailey Cemetery near Wayne City.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Disabled Veterans.

Officials with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) are asking the public for help in locating a missing radioactive oil well logging source holder. The device, owned by Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc. of Fairfield, Ill. went missing last Friday. The locked steel container, which houses the radioactive well logging source holder, was last known to be in a company vehicle. The steel container is silver in color, 12 inches high and 14 inches in diameter. It weighs 75 pounds. The container is labeled on two sides as “DOT Radioactive Yellow II” with the radiation symbol and manufactures’ name “Hopewell Designs, Inc.” on its base.

Maria Madrid of Fairfield is beginning her studies at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV. Currently, Maria is planning to begin her studies to become an Emergency Medicine physician. She is also looking at the possibility of combining Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine during her residency. Several area residents, officials from Fairfield Memorial Hospital and family members traveled to West Virginia recently for Madrid’s White Coat ceremony.

Hamilton Memorial Hospital has announced that long-time local family nurse practitioner Kathy Taylor will be staffing their hospital’s Carmi Family Clinic. She will be joining family nurse practitioner Wes Henson at the Carmi clinic, which is located at 1112 Oak Street in Carmi.

30-year-old Roger Conover of Albion has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in White County to a class-4 felony charge of domestic battery. He will have to serve another four years of parole once he gets out of jail.

26-year-old Matthew Heffington of Broughton has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a class-2 felony charge of bringing contraband into the White County jail.

Fairfield High School will hold their annual Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 4 – 7 p.m. There will be no school for students on Thursday, Oct. 29. Parents should call the high school to set up a date and time for a conference.