79-year-old Norris City resident, Lois June Wood died Jan. 9 at Meadowood Nursing Home in Grayville.
Survivors include a son, Bruce Hollingsworth of California, MO; a daughter, Cindy Schmittler of Grayville and a number of grandchildren.
A memorial service for Lois June Wood will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at Operation Now in Brownsville.
The Stendeback Family Funeral Home of Carmi is in charge of the arrangements.
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A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for today. Wind chill values could fall to minus 15 today as another blast of arctic air invades the Tri-State.
A White County jury deliberated for three hours Wednesday afternoon before finding 31-year-old Candice Brown guilty of two counts of obstruction of justice. Brown is the girlfriend of convicted murderer Danny K. Coston of Centerville, IL. Brown was convicted of lying to police who were investigating the August, 2012 shooting deaths of 22-year-old Jacob Wheeler of Centerville and Wheeler’s girlfriend, Jessi Evans, 17 of Norris City. She told investigators that Coston was with her at home at the time Wheeler and Evans were murdered. Danny Coston is currently serving a 53 year prison sentence for the killings.
33-year-old Robert G. Veach of Carmi was injured Wednesday afternoon when the Chevy Malibu he was driving crossed the center line of Ill. Rt. 1 in southern White County and sideswiped a van. The occupants of the van, 91-year-old Dueard E. Johnson and 85-year-old Dorothy M. Johnson of Broughton escaped injury. Veach was cited for driving suspended and improper lane usage.
A bond of $25,000 cash has been set for two Fairfield men arrested Monday for operating a suspected meth lab at a rental house in Cisne. Anthony M. Garrison, 24 and Jerrod L. Reid, 28 face multiple felony drug-related charges. Reid also faces weapons charges after police seized four firearms from the house, including a sawed off shotgun.
25-year-old Robert E. Reid of Johnsonville has been jailed on a charge of domestic battery after he allegedly threw his 7-month pregnant wife Michelle R. Reid to the ground during an argument early Wednesday morning.
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Leah Marie Shryock of Newton, IL and Donovan Lee Stopher of Mt. Erie, IL are happy to announce their engagement and upcoming marriage.
Leah is the daughter of Randy and Glenna Shryock of Newton. Grandparents are Glenn and Judi Frichtl, the late Monica Frichtl, and the late Raymond and Genevieve Shryock, all of Newton. She is a 2009 graduate of Newton Community High School and will graduate from the School of Business at Eastern Illinois University in May of 2014 with degrees in Management and Finance.
Donovan is the son of Bill and Tina Stopher of Mt. Erie. Grandparents are Norman and Delores McKinney of Mt. Erie, and the late Don and Violet Stopher of Cisne. Great-grandparents of the groom are Alberta and the late Virgil McKinney, and the late Russell and Lillie Yohe, all of Mt. Erie. He is a 2009 graduate of Cisne Community High School and a December 2013 graduate from the School of Business at Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Management Information Systems. He is employed in the IT department of First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust in Mattoon.
Donovan and Leah will be married at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Scott Avenue Christian Church, with a reception to follow at the Sunrise Community Center, all in Newton.
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81-year-old Cisne resident, Harry L. Caldwell died at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 at Flora Gardens Center in Flora. A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, he was retired from Southwire in Flora.
Survivors include his wife Betty of Cisne; four sisters, Donna, Karen and Sharon Caldwell, all of Vandalia, MO and Maxine McDannold of Two Harbors, MN; a brother-in-law, Leland Barnes and his wife Joan of Cisne and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a private graveside service for Harry L. Caldwell at a later date.
Memorials ma be made to the activity fund of the Cisne Rehab and Healthcare Center or Flora Gardens Health Care and will be accepted at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne, which is in charge of all the arrangements.
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Evelyn Beck, 100, of Carmi, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 11:33 a.m. at Wabash Christian Retirement Center in Carmi. She taught school for forty years and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Carmi.
Surviving Evelyn are a brother and sister-in-law, Carroll and Sandra York of Louisville, KY; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great-nephews including, Donna Whitley and Sue (Don) Harris all of Carmi, Marilou (Mark) Hammil of Malibu, CA, Kevin (Lisa) York of Rockport, IN, Jerry (Jana) Land of Suwanee, GA, Steve (Marsha) Land of Marion, IL, David (Kelly) York of Tampa, FL and Craig (Jenny) York of Louisville, KY; and a sister-in-law, Frances York of Ft. Myers, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Dorothy Land; and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Don York and Doyle and Jean York.
Funeral services for Evelyn Beck, 100, of Carmi, will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi with burial will be at North Maple Ridge Cemetery in Carmi.
Visitation will be on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. until time of service.
Memorial gifts may be made in Evelyn’s name to First United Methodist Church in Carmi and will be accepted at the funeral home.
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An urgent blood drive has been set for this Saturday at the Fairfield Wal-Mart. An American Red Cross bloodmobile bus will be at the Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday. All blood types are needed.
An April trial date has been set for a Galatia man accused of violently shaking his 4-month-old daughter last month, leaving her with severe brain damage. 21-year-old Colten Campbell faces a Class-X felony charge of aggravated battery of a child causing permanent injury. During a hearing Thursday, authorities alleged that Campbell shook the child because she was crying while he was trying to play a video game.
Illinois residents affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes have an extra week to apply for federal disaster aid. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 3. People with storm damage in 15 Southern Illinois counties, including Wayne County, can apply for grants and loans.
Newly approved tuition increases at the University of Illinois mean that four years of college on the flagship campus will top $100,000 for many students. Trustees voted Thursday to raise tuition by 1.7%. They also increased fees and housing costs.
The Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District has named the recipients of three $500 scholarships. The winners are Lea Carter of Fairfield Community High School, Michaela Smith of Wayne City High School and Brandae Gill of Cisne High School.
The post Headlines for Friday, January 24, 2014 appeared first on WFIW - WOKZ Radio Fairfield IL.
49-year-old Fairfield resident, Connor Morlan died at 4:43 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville. He was a Route Salesman for his and his dad’s business, Harry W. Morlan and Son Distributing Co. for several years, and later worked for Prairie Farms Dairy in Olney, Il.
Surviving are two sons, Michael and Brylan both of Fairfield; two daughters, Ashley Morlan of Sussex, NJ and Breah Morlan of Fairfield; one grandson, Isiah; his parents, Harry and Louise Morlan of Fairfield; one sister, Cynthia Barbre; two nephews, Christopher Barbre and Chad Barbre; two great-nephews, Evan and Matthew Barbre; two great-nieces, Paisley and Emersyn Barbre; a special cousin, Eugene “Tubby” McGill; a special friend, Michelle Hayes; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Connor Morlan will be at 2 p.m. Monday, January 27 at the Holiness Rescue Mission Church in Fairfield. Burial will be in Koontz Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Monday, January 27 until the time of service at the church.
Memorials may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.
Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield is in charge of the arrangements.
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59-year-old Fairfield resident, Vicky Smith died at 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Surviving are her husband of 42 years, Richard of Fairfield; two daughters, Jenny O’Daniel of Belle Prairie and Katie Schaber of Evansville, IN; one son, Tim of Fairfield; five grandchildren; one sister, Diane Vaughan of Fairfield; and one brother, David Clevenger of Griffon, GA.
Funeral services for Vicky Smith will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 28 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, January 27 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to cover funeral expenses.
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52 year old Robert V. Staton of Mill Shoals died Thursday, Jan. 23rd.
He is survived by his father Melvin Staton of Mill Shoals; his grandmother Laura Plock of Carmi; 2 sisters Christine Downen and her husband Darin of Barnhill and Barbara McFarland and her husband Michael of Carmi; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Robert V. Staton will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, Jan. 26th at the Orchardville Branch Church in Fairfield with burial at Shrewsbury Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00pm Sunday at the church. Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City is in charge of all the arrangements.
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W. Russell “Russ” Withers, Jr. founder and owner of Withers Broadcasting Companies which owns six television stations and 30 radio stations died Friday night at his home in Mount Vernon, Ill. He was 76. Across Southern Illinois, Withers owned and operated radio stations WROY/WRUL in Carmi, WEBQ in Harrisburg, WMCL in McLeansboro, WREZ in Metropolis, WYNG in Mount Carmel, WMIX in Mount Vernon, Ill. and WISH in Galatia. He also operated television stations in Michigan and West Virginia. Services are pending at the Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.
The Fairfield City Council meets Tuesday night starting at 6 p.m. During the meeting, the council is expected to discuss the idea of allowing Sunday liquor sales at businesses that have a liquor license. Package liquor stores would be exempt. The council is also scheduled to discuss an initiative that would update and expand the current smoke-free areas in the city, as well as a funding request from the Retail Merchants for activities and new city maps.
23-year-old Ryan Tibbs of Cisne has been sentenced to 180 days in the Wayne County Jail after his probation on a 2012 possession of drug paraphernalia conviction was revoked. Tibbs appeared in Wayne County Circuit Court Thursday on a petition to revoke his probation based on his arrest last May on charges of DUI, driving without insurance and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Tibbs was given credit for 12 days already served.
21-year-old Dewey F. Desch Jr. and 20-year-old Charlie E. Schnepper both of Fairfield were arrested early Friday morning after allegedly driving their Jeeps through a local farmer’s field, leaving deep ruts. County police were called to the Lakeview bottoms around 1:30 a.m. on a report that two Jeeps were stuck in the mud on the Joseph E. Thoele property. Desch and Schnepper were eventually cited for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property.
57-year-old Nancy Hunter of Flat Rock, IL died Friday afternoon in an accident in rural Lawrence County. State police said Hunter was driving her vehicle on a county road about six miles east of Birds, when she cross the centerline and hit a truck head-on, driven by 63-year-old Richard M. Churchwell of Lawrenceville, IL. Police said neither driver was wearing a seat belt. Churchwell was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, IN following the accident.
The Allendale Rural Fire Protection District recently installed a new service to improve the rapid response and management of its firefighters. The service, called FIRE-QRVS, is a firefighter response verification and fire department management system designed to complement existing 911 dispatch systems. The technology employs the use of computers, mobile smart phones, text messaging, GPS and the Internet to provide more timely and accurate communication between firefighters.
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78-year-old Decatur, IL resident, formerly of Carmi, Ina Ruth Blazier, died Thursday afternoon, January 23, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Along with her husband Carl she owned several businesses in the Pana and Decatur area.
Surviving are her husband Carl; three daughters, Sherry Brown of Shelbyville, Ruth Lody of Pana, IL and Sandra Byers of Evansville, IN; two sons, Steve Adams of Pana, IL and Carl Lee Blazier of Carmi; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Charlie Jackson of Carmi.
Funeral services for Ina Ruth Blazier will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 26 at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi. Burial will be in Maple Ridge Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Sunday, January 26 until the time of service at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi.
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87-year-old Belle Rive resident, Henry P. Kiefer, died at 2:45 a.m. Friday, January 24 at Hamilton Memorial Nursing Center. He was a farmer, and a bus driver for Unit 10 School District for 18 years. He was also a member of the Dahlgren Volunteer Fire District for over 20 years, and the Knights of Columbus Council 8745 – Farm Bureau.
Surviving are his wife Rita Marie Kiefer of Belle Rive; four daughters, Patricia Shaw of Ina, Joyce Stevenson of Ithaca, MI, Maureen Kramm of West Frankfort, IL and Sandra Reyling of Dahlgren; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren with two on the way; and numerous nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services for Henry P. Kiefer will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 27 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Cemetery at Dahlgren. Due to family health issues, those attending are asked to refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes, or having live flowers.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, January 26 at the Harre Funeral Home in Dahlgren, with a Rosary Service at 6:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Dahlgren Fire Department, and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in Dahlgren.
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After temperatures climbed to near 60 Sunday afternoon, a sharp cold front will sweep Arctic air back into the region by Monday morning. Overnight lows will dip to 7 degrees with wind chill values as low as -15. Bitterly cold weather will be around through at least Wednesday.
The founder and owner of Withers Broadcasting, 76-year-old W. Russell “Russ” Withers, died at his home in Mt. Vernon, IL Friday night. Withers owned and operated WROY/WRUL in Carmi, WEBQ in Harrisburg, IL, WMCL in McLeansboro, WREZ in Metropolis, IL, WYNG in Mt. Carmel, IL, WMIX in Mt. Vernon, IL and WISH in Galatia, along with several television stations in Michigan and West Virginia. He began his career in broadcasting as an announcer/salesman in 1961, and served as chairman of the Illinois Broadcasters Association Foundation and was a trustee of the National Association of Broadcasters Political Action Committee at the time of his death.
The Fairfield City Council meets Tuesday night at 6 p.m. The council is expected to address the possibility of allowing Sunday liquor sales, and discuss the Smoke Free Public Places initiative for the city. Also on the agenda is a funding request from the Retail Merchants for activities and city maps, and a proposal to pay for a Utility Loan.
The Allendale Rural Fire Protection District recently installed a new service to improve the rapid response and management of its firefighters. The service is a firefighter response verification and fire department management system to complement existing 911 systems. The technology uses several devices to help provide timely and accurate communication between firefighters when responding to a fire, and includes the use of computers, mobile smart phones, text messaging, GPS and the Internet.
Illinois’ unemployment rate for the month of December was at 8.6, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. They report the rate is the fourth straight month it has declined, and is the lowest level since December 2012. They also report the state has added just over 62,000 jobs compared to a year ago, and said employers in December advertised online for over 215,000 individual job openings, of which 92 percent were for full-time work.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the state’s Park and Recreational Facility Construction Grant Program. The program provides grants to local governments for construction and improvements to parks and recreation sites in the state, with a maximum grant of $2.5 million for qualifying projects. The applications will be accepted through March 10th. More information is available at www.dnr.illinois.gov/grants or by calling (217) 782-7481.
The post Headlines for Sunday, January 26, 2014 appeared first on WFIW - WOKZ Radio Fairfield IL.
67-year-old Piopolis, IL resident, Brenda York Lueke, died at 1:55 a.m. Saturday, January 25 at her home. She was a retired teacher, and held a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University and Doctorial Studies in Education from the University of Illinois. She was also a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Piopolis, IL.
Surviving are her husband Charlie; one son, Jeff of McLeansboro; one daughter, Julie Dodd of McLeansboro; eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Brenda York Lueke will be at 1 p.m. Monday, January 27 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Piopolis, IL. Burial will be in St. John Baptist Catholic Cemetery at Piopolis, IL.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday, January 27 until the time of service at the church.
Memorials may be made to the Brenda Lueke Scholarship Fund, and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, which is in charge of the arrangements.
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79-year-old Wayne City resident, Shirley Overton, died at 5:40 a.m. Saturday, January 25 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. She was retired after working at Airtex.
Surviving are her husband Don; one son, Mark of Keenes; one daughter, Carla Smith of Keenes; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services for Shirley Overton will be at 11 a.m. Monday, January 27 at the Archie L. Sanders Memorial Chapel in Wayne City.
Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
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95-year-old Fairfield resident, Alpha Lenore Bunnell, died at 9:10 p.m. Thursday, January 23 at Charlevoix Health Care in St. Charles, Mo.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.
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79-year-old McLeansboro resident, Robert L. Shuster died at 3:40 p.m. Saturday, January 25 at Hamilton Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in McLeansboro. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force from 1952-1956, he was retired from Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis. He was Past Commander of the American Legion Post # 784 in Cahokia, IL; Past President of the St. Louis Credit Association, St. Louis, Mo.; past Hamilton Memorial Hospital Board Member; member of the American Legion Post # 106, McLeansboro; member of the Elks Lodge #1882, McLeansboro; after retirement, he worked as a van driver for Harre Hamilton County Ambulance.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Ann Shuster; a daughter, Lisa Ann Rheinecker and husband Steven of St. Louis; a grandson, Braden Rheinbecker of St. Louis and a granddaughter, Brook Rheinecker of St. Louis.
Funeral Services for Robert L. Shuster will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in thee I.O.O.F. Cemetery, McLeansboro with military rites provided by the American Legion Post #106 of McLeansboro.
Visitation will be 6 -8 Wednesday evening, Jan. 29 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
Memorials may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church of McLeansboro or the Hamilton Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, McLeansboro and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
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75-year-old Carmi resident, John Edward Large died Sunday, Jan. 26 at his home. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a member of the Carmi Church of God.
Survivors include his wife, Faye; sons, Keith and wife Jeannie Large, Todd and wife Kayci Large; a daughter, Jessica and husband Trey Mason; grandchildren, Jordan and Koby Large, Saylor Mason, Akilah and Kipton Large; and a sister, Wilma Rumsey, all of Carmi.
Services for John Edward Large will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 29 at the Carmi Church of God with burial in Centerville Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5 – 7 Tuesday evening, January 28 at the Carmi Church of God.
Memorials may be made to the Carmi Church of God and will be accepted at the Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi, which is in charge of all the arrangements.
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96-year-old Fairfield resident, Evelyn “Evie” Templeman died at 3:14 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at her home. A homemaker, she attended the Church of the Harvest in Wayne City.
Survivors include daughters, Kay and husband Bill Day of Fairfield and Linda Coffelt of Acworth, GA; 5 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Evelyn “Evie” Templeman will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 29 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Richland Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5 – 7 Tuesday evening, January 28 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield.
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Pictured above are representatives from local organizations accepting donations for their community organization from the late Lester and Janet Steiner Estate. Each group received $70,217.19. Left to right are Marion McDowell, Jr., Treasurer, Frontier Community College Foundation; Charlotte St.Ledger, Executive Director of Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, Cynthia L. Steiner, Independent Executor of the Steiner Estate; Michelle Conard, Director of Fairfield Public Library; and Charlie McDonald, Pastor of First United Methodist Church.
Another Arctic cold front surged through the entire region overnight, bringing bitterly cold temperatures back to the Tri-State. A wind gust of 47 mph was recorded at 10:30 Sunday night as the front swept across the region. Temperatures are forecast to dip into the single digits behind the cold front.
Fairfield First Christian Church pastor Craig Scott returned home this weekend after undergoing more than six months of treatment and rehabilitation for injuries sustained in an accident in Puerto Rico last summer. During Sunday night’s services, Pastor Scott was on hand to greet church members for the first time since he suffered a spinal cord injury on January 22. Scott was on a mission trip with local youth in Puerto Rico when he was injured while body surfing. Since he was away undergoing treatment, volunteers have worked to make his home in Fairfield handicapped accessible.
60-year-old Robert Scott Beesley of Roundup, Montana died Sunday night when the pickup truck he was driving ran off Ill., Rt. 142 in Hamilton County and hit a tree. The accident happened shortly after 11 p.m. Beesley was pronounced dead at the scene.
The brutally cold winter could threaten Illinois’ winter wheat crop. The extreme temperatures could make the crop more susceptible to secondary diseases that could come along in the spring. It’s still too early to tell what winter’s impact may be on the crop.
A decision is expected at Tuesday’s Fairfield City Council meeting on the issue of Sunday liquor sales for local service clubs and restaurants. A three-man committee is expected to make its recommendation to the council.
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