85-year-old Wayne City resident, Virginia I. Austin died at 1:38 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include a son, Eddie Austin of Fairfield and two grandchildren.
Funeral services for Virginia I. Austin will be 1 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City with burial in Thomason Cemetery.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of service at the Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City.
89-year-old West Salem resident, Ruth Arlene May (Uttecht) Giese, died Thursday, May 1 at her daughter’s home in Crossville. She was a seamstress and made and altered clothes for many people in the area and worked at Stop & Shop Grocery Store for many years. She was active in the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School class for 50 years, and was an active member of the United Methodist Women’s group, Food Programs and other programs involving the church.
Surviving are her children, Bob Giese of Canyon Lake, CA, Fran (Paul) Bunting of Crossville; grandchildren, Trina (Tom) Riddle of Sumter, SC, Dustin (Beth) Bunting of Mt. Carmel, IL, Tyler and Casey Giese of Huntington Beach, CA; great-grandchildren, Leah and Luke Bunting of Mt. Carmel, IL; a sister-in-law, Helen McKinney of Brookville, OH; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Ruth Arlene (Uttecht) Giese will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6 at the Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem. Burial will be in Zion United Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Ingram Funeral Home in West Salem.
Memorials may be made to VNA Tip Hospice.
47-year-old Kevin Beeson of Fairfield was found dead inside the garage of his home on South First Street Friday morning. Wayne County Coroner Jimmy Taylor said Beeson’s body was found inside his locked car inside his garage, which had also been locked. Coroner Taylor said Beeson died from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. Relatives checked on Beeson around 9 o’clock Friday morning and discovered the body. Foul play is not suspected.
Volunteers from the Wayne County Farm Bureau traveled around Wayne County Friday asking homeowners to allow them to modify the Slow Moving Vehicle Signs that they were using as driveway and fence markers. Doug Anderson, Manager of the Wayne County Farm Bureau, said it was important to maintain the integrity of the SMV symbol, which is used to get the attention of vehicle drivers when following farm implements on the road. With permission from the landowners, Farm Bureau volunteers cut the sides of the SMV emblem, making them rectangular, and added reflective tape. 24 signs were modified on Friday. (At left, David White of Cisne and Fred Blessing of rural Fairfield, both volunteers with the Wayne County Farm Bureau, are shown modifying an SMV sign being used as a driveway marker in Geff)
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has announced grant awards totaling over $25 million to enhance security at 448 public elementary and secondary school districts, as well as colleges and universities in Illinois. The grants will support over 1300 projects to enhance safety. In Wayne County, grant recipients include Geff and Jasper Grade School in the amount of $5000 each, $650 to New Hope Grade School, $10,725 to the North Wayne School District and $13,625 to the Wayne City School District.
A crash in Williamson County involving a garbage truck and a bus left 15 people injured Friday morning, including 11 pre-school children and four adults. State police report the garbage truck, driven by 29-year-old Mason K. McCord of West Frankfort, IL was westbound on Illinois Route 13 approaching Spillway Road. The bus was southbound on Spillway Road approaching Route 13. Police were not immediately sure why the garbage truck apparently veered onto north Spillway Road and hit the bus. All of the children on the bus were taken to a local hospital following the accident. The garbage truck driver, Mason McCord, was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage. The driver of the bus was not identified by police.
Wayne City High School’s Senior Awards Day is set for this Friday, May 9th at 1 p.m. in the high school gym. Highlights of the event, which is open to the public, include the awarding of $40,000 in scholarships from an anonymous Wayne City High School Foundation scholarship sponsor, along with numerous Foundation and community-sponsored scholarships. The Wayne City High School Senior of the Year will also be announced. Scholarship sponsors can still contact Ruth Kissner to reserve a spot on the program.
Former Fairfield First United Methodist Church Associate Pastor, C. Raydean Davis, 72, died Thursday (5/1/14) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, IL.
He was a United Methodist Minister for 51 years and was director of the Wesley Foundation at Illinois State University for 21 years.
Raydean Davis is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sue Davis of Bloomington; four children, Julie Moore of Bloomington, Steven Ray Davis of Danvers, Brian Davis of Normal, and Scott Davis of Normal; nine grandchildren; a sister, Charlotte Niksch of Evansville, IN; two brothers, Henry S. Davis of Bowling Green, KY, and Cletus Davis of Lebanon, Ohio.
Services for Raydean Davis will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomington. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday (5/4) at Wesley United Methodist Church and one hour prior to service Monday at the church. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington are in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to C. Raydean Davis Scholarship Fun at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL; Preachers’ Aid Society in Springfield; or, Wesley United Methodist Church.
88-year-old Dale, IL resident, Henry Felix Skropka, died at 12:02 p.m. Friday, May 2 at his home. He retired from Hunt’s Hardware Store at Dale, IL after 26 years, and also from the Billy Robertson Farms of Sims after six years. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Gloria of Dale, IL; six children, William (Brenda) Skropka of McLeansboro, Darrell (Connie) Skropka of Ashley, IL, Ganice Skropka of Woodlawn, IL, Vance Skropka of Enfield, Jane Crowder of Harrisburg, IL and Paula (Bryan) Henderson of Centralia, IL; two sisters, Martha Kruger and Julia Manek both of Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Henry Felix Skropka will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery near McLeansboro.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans of America and will be accepted at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
70-year-old Carmi resident, Billy R. Taylor, died Friday morning, May 2 at his home. He was a driller for Rector Stone and Goff & Pruitt for many years.
Surviving are his wife Karla; three sons, Billy (Elizabeth) Taylor of Carmi, Donnie Stover Jr. of Gatlinburg, TN and Joe Stover (significant other Jennifer Newman) of Carmi; five daughters, Sheila (Kelly) Savage and Shelly Taylor all of Carmi, Holly (Garry) Grisham of Eldorado, IL, Angel Boren (significant other Jr. Rankin) and Nicky Case (significant other Jeremy); 19 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and twins due in November; two brothers, Jerry (Kay) Taylor of Wewoka, OK and Dwight Taylor of Fairfield; one sister, Anna Lee Taylor of Fairfield; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Billy R. Taylor will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6 at the Carmi New Beginnings Church of God. Burial will be in Kuykendall Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Carmi New Beginnings Church of God.
Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi is in charge of the arrangements.
47-year-old Fairfield resident, Kevin Beeson, died at 9:28 a.m. Friday, May 2 at his home. He had done auto body and mechanic work.
Surviving are his parents, Jerry and Brenda Beeson of Fairfield; his grandmother, Dorothy Stennett of Fairfield; one daughter, Mikayla Beeson of Batavia, IL: one son, Joshua David Beeson of Sarasota, FL; one sister, Ginger Sisco of Fairfield; and one brother, Jerry Bruce of Fairfield.
Graveside services for Kevin Beeson will be at noon Monday, May 5 at Union Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday, May 5 until the time of service at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, which is in charge of the arrangements.
The Fairfield Community High School Math Team competed in the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics State Mathematics contest Saturday on the campus of the University of Illinois. The Freshman/Sophomore Two-Person team of Holden August and Ashley Strand captured 9th place in the state in their competition. The Geometry team of Holden August, Reece Everett, Don Grimes, Colin McDuffee, Ben Odom, and Ashley Strand placed 14th statewide in the geometry competition, with Strand tied for 13th individually and Cody Simpson tying for 16th individually in the PreCalculus competition.
The Little Wabash River at Clay City is falling and should be within its banks by tonight. The stage Saturday night was 19.7 feet, a drop of about a half-foot from Saturday morning’s reading. East of Fairfield the stage Saturday was 22 feet, 3 inches, up 3 inches from Friday’s reading. Most of this week is expected to be dry, with the next chance of rain on Friday.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced Friday grant awards totalling over $25 million to enhance security at over 400 public elementary and secondary school districts, community colleges and universities in the state. In Wayne County, Geff and Jasper Grade Schools are listed as grant recipients of $5000 each, with $650 to New Hope Grade School, $13,625 to the Wayne City School District and $10,725 to the North Wayne School District. Statewide the grants will support over 1300 projects to enhance safety for students, staff and visitors.
Wayne City High School’s Senior Awards Day will be held this Friday in the high school gym starting at 1 p.m. Highlights will include the awarding of over $40,000 in scholarships from an anonymous Wayne City High School Foundation scholarship sponsor, and the announcement of the Wayne City High School Senior of the Year. Scholarship sponsors can contact Ruth Kissner to reserve a spot on the program. The public is invited to Friday’s awards day program.
Schnucks Kitchen, based in O’Fallon, MO is recalling around 130 pounds of Curry White Meat Chicken Salad due to possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Saturday. The product was produced in three-pound bags on April 24th and shipped to Schnucks grocery locations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin. The specific product is Curry White Meat Chicken Salad with Walnuts and distributed in containers with a purchase date between April 24th and May 2nd. Those with questions about the recall can call 1-800-264-4400.
48-year-old Mt. Carmel, IL resident, Jeff Campbell, died Friday, May 2 at his home. He was a carpenter.
Surviving are a daughter, Tiffany Hunter of Mt. Carmel, IL; four brothers, D.J. Tony (Angie), and Andy (Renee) Campbell all of Mt. Carmel, IL and Michael (Shirley) Campbell of Princeton, IN: three sisters, Kate (Robbin) Keyes of Keensburg, Sis Wheeler of Mt. Carmel, IL, and Trish (Jim) Harms of Eddyville, IN; one grandson, Chase Hunter; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Jeff Campbell will be at 3 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Ingram Funeral Home in Allendale, IL. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Cemetery at Mt. Carmel, IL.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. Monday, May 5 until the time of service at the Ingram Funeral Home in Allenadle, IL.
Memorials may be made to VNA Tipp Hospice.
Lost from North 1st Street near Northside School: All white poodle/bichon mix named Charlie. He has three feet and is wearing a blue collar with tags. He is microchipped and was recently groomed. Call 919-0862.
Rachel L. Horn, 28 , of Fairfield, IL died at 9:40AM, Saturday, May 03, 2014 at her home. Rachel was a babysitter and a member at North Side Pentecostal Church in Fairfield, IL.
Rachel is survived by her father Brad Horn of Albion, IL and mother Donna Horn of Fairfield, IL; sister Sarah Duncan and two nieces Kaitlyn and Hannah Duncan of Fairfield, IL; grandparents Carroll and Lou Horn of Mt. Vernon, IL; aunt Nanette Williams of Woodlawn, IL and Uncle Gene (Angie) Allison of Kampsville, IL. Other uncles and cousins also survive.
Funeral service for Rachel Horn will be 2PM Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at Hosselton Funeral Home with burial in Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Fairfield, IL.
Visitation will be from noon until time of service on Tuesday at the the Hosselton Funeral Home in Cisne.
Vernon K. Pottorff, 88 of Fairfield died Sunday, May 04, 2014 at 5:15 AM at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. He was retired from the oilfield trucking business and was also veteran of the Navy Air Force, a member of the Fairfield Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, and a member of the Fairfield First Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife Betty J. Pottorff of Fairfield, daughter Arnetta Taylor of Mt. Erie, 3 grandchildren, Brandon Taylor, Amelia Taylor, and Madalyn Hubble, 2 great grandchildren, Gauge and Kaydence Taylor, and a sister Anna Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, and a sister.
Funeral services for Vernon Pottorff will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 10 AM at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
23-year-old Adam R. Hughes of Bluford has been jailed after he led Wayne City Police Chief Anson Fenton on a high speed chase late Saturday night. Chief Fenton reports he attempted to stop Hughes’ 1998 Ford Explorer for speeding 50 miles per hour on Main Street around 11 o’clock Saturday night. Refusing to stop, Fenton pursued Hughes at speeds of 100 mph for about 20 miles through the country. At Wayne County 100 E, Hughes’ vehicle hit loose gravel and flipped twice. Two passengers in the vehicle, not identified by police, were injured and taken to Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Hughes received no injuries. Hughes was booked into the Wayne County jail early Sunday morning on preliminary charges of aggravated drunk driving, attempting to flee or elude and unlawful restraint – apparently for having the unwilling passengers in the fleeing car.
30-year-old Matthew W. Roberts of Norris City received major injuries Sunday night when the 2007 Honda motorcycle he was riding on the Herald Blacktop missed a curve and crashed. Roberts was airlifted from the scene to a hospital in Evansville following the 8:30 p.m. crash. State Police said excessive speed was a factor in the crash.
Jordan K. Orr, the son of David and Alane Orr of Fairfield graduated Saturday from the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. The graduation ceremony was held at the Coronado Theater in Rockford, Ill. Jordan earned degrees in chemistry and kinesiology. His specialty will be internal medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Orr will complete his residency at the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama.
The FCHS Freshman/Sophomore math team captured ninth place Saturday at the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics State contest on the campus of the University of Illinois. Holden August and Ashley Strand were awarded medals for their finish.
20-year-old Alec Draper of Fairfield was arrested in Mt. Carmel Saturday for being in possession of drug paraphernalia and for being intoxicated. Police arrested Draper after responding to a report of a man asking a woman if she had any drugs for sale.
Kent E. Henry, 49, of Clay City died May 3, 2014 at Clay Co. Hospital. He was a correctional officer at Lawrence County Correctional Center and was a former member of the Wayne White Electric Co-op Board. He was also a self employed carpenter and craftsman. He was a member of the Anthony Doherty Masonic Lodge #1111, Clay County Shrine Club, Ainad Temple of East St. Louis, Sod Busters of Bible Grove, Richland County ABATE, Elm River Chowder and was a 4-H Leader.
Survived by Wife, Penny Henry of Clay City, his mother, Earlene Henry of Clay City, Brother, Kevin (Jana) Henry of Clay City, Sister, Beth (Keith) Wilson of Fairfield, IL, Daughter, Kindra Henry of Lexington, SC, Son, Trent Henry of Peoria, IL, Step-Daughter, Sheree (Brandon) O’Connor, Step-son, Tyler Tarpley and friend Danielle, Step-Daughter, Miranda Campbell, Step-grandchildren, Adilynn O’Connor and Travette Tarpley, nieces and nephews, Brandon Henry, Jessica (Jeff) Blevins, Bryce Henry, and Heith Wilson, Great nieces and nephews, Ashlynn and Rowen Blevins, many special family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Owen Henry and beloved family pets, Zoei, Ray, and Libby.
Services for Kent Henry will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 8 at the Clay City Christian Church with burial in Zif Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4 – 8 Wednesday evening, May 7 at the Clay City Christian Church. Masonic services will be performed at 8pm.
Memorials may be made to Shriners’ Childrens Hospital First Responders of the Clay City Fire Dept. American Heart Association and will be accepted at the Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Clay City, which is in charge of all the arrangements.
76-year-old McLeansboro resident, Howard Dietrich died at 9:02 a.m. Monday, May 5 at his home. A U.S. Army veteran, he was a retired foreman in a paper manufacturing business.
Survivors include his wife, Susan of McLeansboro; two sons, Erich Dietrich of Tuscon, AZ and Ryan Dietrich of Fairfield; a daughter, Kristine Malone and finance’ Troy Richards of Las Vegas, NV; two step-children, Mike Mleinek and Michelle Russell of Canada; three grandchildren, Kaley and Jessica Malone and Ezra Russell.
Mr. Deitrich will be cremated as per his personal request and private family services will be conducted at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Good Samaritan in Mount Vernon, IL.
The Harre Funeral Home of McLeansboro is in charge of all the arrangements
The Village of Wayne City has received a $150,000 grant to design a new water treatment facility. The money is being provided through a Community Development Assistance Program grant secured by the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission in Albion.
41-year-old Jeffrey Churchwell of McLeansboro was sentenced to prison Monday in White County Circuit Court. Churchwell drew a 3 year sentence after his probation on a previous aggravated battery conviction was revoked.
21-year-old Daniel S. Kirsch of McLeansboro has been sentenced to 2 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday in White County Circuit Court to a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.
State officials say they have confiscated more than $26 million from people who were taking advantage of the unemployment system. Revenue officials intercepted the tax refunds from people who were working and collecting unemployment checks.
Construction work is underway today at Leo French Park in Fairfield. The Fairfield Parks Department is advising motorists that no traffic will be allowed through the park from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
21-year-old Vincent Incaprera of rural Fairfield has been arrested on a charge of theft. He is accused of stealing several pieces of jewelry from his mother, Gina Incaprera of Cisne.
98-year-old former Fairfield resident, Charles French of Cummings, GA died at 1:57 p.m. Monday, May 5 at Enduring Hospice in Cummings, GA.
Services for Charles French are pending at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield.
Be on the lookout for Buttons!!! Buttons is a female poodle, black in color with a long tail. She was last seen in the area of SE 7th and Douglas Streets. Buttons is a very scared little dog and will probably run, so if you see her, please call Dr. Vore at 618-214-7396.
Ann Hart died Wednesday, April 30th at her home in Indianapolis, IN. She had held several teaching positions in the Indianapolis area, and earned her Bachelor Degree at Indiana University at Bloomington, and her Master degree at Butler University at Indianapolis.
Surviving are a daughter, Alison (Chris) O’Malley and grandson Jack of Carmel, IN; one sister, Susie (Vern) Henry of Fishers, IN; a sister-in-law, Betty DeLong and niece Patricia (James) Pretzsch all of Carmi; nephews, Gary (Norma) DeLong of Dallas, TX, Tom Banschbach of Texas and Bill Shapiro of Indianapolis, IN; and several cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial services for Ann Hart were held Saturday, May 3rd in Indianapolis. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Little Prairie Cemetery at Maunie, IL.
Stendeback Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Linda L. Rogers of Sandoval, IL died Monday, May 5 at her home. She retired from Wal Mart after working over 25 years.
Surviving are her husband Merle; two brothers, Richard Scott of Bluford and Doug Scott of Fairfield; four sisters, Peggy Rogers and Crystal Dicus both of Carmi, Theresa Hodgson of Crossville and Debra Rosenberger of Flora.
There will be no funeral services for Linda L. Rogers. The Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi is in charge of the arrangements.