Obituaries

Lincoln — Billy J. Short, 72, of Lincoln, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025, at his home in Lincoln. A Celebration of Billy’s Life will be held at a later date. Billy James Short was born on October 21, 1952, in Lincoln, the son of James Russell and Joyce Marie Johnson Short. He was united in marriage to Debra Nelson on November 13, 2015. She survives. Also surviving are his children: one daughter, Tiffany

Lincoln, IL — Edward P. Malerich, 84, of Lincoln, passed away July 17, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. A true “Renaissance Man,” Ed was an actor, author, playwright, champion fencer, carpenter, amateur historian, enthusiast of antique black powder weapons, and black belt in karate. He began his acting career at the Pasadena Playhouse and toured nationally with José Ferrer in a production of Cyrano. Edward wrote a play, “Legend of the Sword,” which was produced

Lincoln — Richard “Dick” E. Cecil, 86, of Lincoln, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Mason City Area Nursing Home in Mason City. A Celebration of Dick’s Life will be held at a later date. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Burial will be in the Zion Cemetery in Lincoln. Richard Eugene Cecil was born on June 16, 1939, in Lincoln, the son of George and Helen I. Duginger Cecil. He is survived

Lake Fork, Ill.- Gary W. Constant, 74, of Lake Fork, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at his home. Graveside Services for Mr. Constant will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lincoln. Gary Wayne Constant was born in Lincoln, the son of Dean and Marcella Routson Constant. He was united in marriage to Kay Laymon on August 17, 1974. She survives. Also surviving are his children:

Lincoln — Justin R. Whitacre, 36, of Lincoln, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at his home. A Celebration of Justin’s Life will be held at a later date. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Justin Ryan Whitacre was born on August 20, 1988, in Lincoln, the son of Anthony Lynn Helton and Robin D. Whitacre. He is survived by his two brothers: Anthony M. Whitacre and Triston Steen; his maternal grandmother: Julienne Kieser, stepfather:

Atlanta — James Henry Coleman, 99, of Atlanta, passed away on December 9, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 13, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Atlanta Christian Church, Atlanta, IL. There will be a group time of sharing at 2:00 p.m. James was born July 13, 1925, near Wing, IL. He was the son of Edmon and Myrtle Lear Coleman. He married Marjorie Ann Rogers on December

Lincoln — Phyllis E. Barrigear, 83, of Lincoln, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the Carlinville Rehabilitation and Health Center. Graveside Services for Mrs. Barrigear will be on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur. Phyllis Elaine Dickey was born on January 19, 1942, in Decatur, the daughter of Jesse Leon and Edna Mae Armentrout Dickey. She is survived by her son Virgil Barrigear, Jr. and several

Bloomington — James “Jim” Defenbaugh, 85, of Bloomington, went to be with the Lord on June 30, 2025, at 7:03 a.m. at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at Funk’s Grove Cemetery. His children welcome all who knew him. Jim was born on September 27, 1939, to Thelma and Ted Defenbaugh. He had a sister, Nancy Shutt, of

Lincoln – Phyllis J. Moriearty, 90, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, at St. Clara’s Rehab and Senior Care Center in Lincoln. Services for Phyllis will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lincoln. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Joseph Dondanville will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lincoln. Phyllis

Bloomington — Darwin Gene Winter, 75, passed away peacefully at 2:08 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. Gene was born May 25, 1950, in Lincoln, IL to Marvin and Phyllis Winter of Beason. He was a skilled electrician at Caterpillar for 30 years. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, boating, skiing and collecting. Gene was an avid amateur (HAM) radio operator (WA9W) and a member of the Bloomington and Peoria

Middletown — Patricia “Pat” L. Babbs, 71, of Middletown, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. Graveside Services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Irish Grove Cemetery in Middletown with Mrs. Nancy Otto officiating. No Visitation is scheduled. Patricia L. Fulscher was born on December 27, 1953, at St. Clara’s Hospital in Lincoln, the daughter of Garland Deo and Lillian White Fulscher. She

Lincoln — Daniel W. Snyder, 67, of Lincoln, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025, at St. Clara’s Rehab and Senior Care Center in Lincoln. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday June 26, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln American Legion Post #263. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Daniel Wayne Snyder was born on April 21, 1958, in Lincoln, the son of Elmer L. and Patricia Cleo

Lincoln — It is with broken hearts that we announce the transition of Paul Eugene Logan Jr., 67, of Lincoln, IL. He was born on December 28, 1957, and went to be with Jesus on May 25, 2025. He passed peacefully with his long-time special friend, Debra Handlin Betterton, by his side at OSF Hospital in Bloomington, IL. Paul was an Army Veteran that worked hard all of his life. He never met a stranger

Lincoln — Linda Kay Blair, 81, of Lincoln, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at her home. Cremation Rites have been accorded, and no funeral services are scheduled at this time. Linda Kay Voyles was born on December 20, 1943, in Lincoln, the daughter of Carl and Mary Martin Voyles. She was united in marriage to Leon Blair on July 12, 1972, in Effingham, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 6, 2001.

McLean — Beverly A. Spaulding, 76, of McLean, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, at her son’s home in Bloomington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Atlanta, with Rev. Joseph Dondanville officiating. Preceding the Mass is a Rosary Service at 9:00 a.m. and a visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., all to be held at the church.

Atlanta — Kathryn A. “Kay” Thompson, 96, of Atlanta, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Goldwater Care in Bloomington. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eminence Christian Church in rural Atlanta with Pastor Henry Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Eminence Christian Church. Burial will follow the service at the Atlanta

Mt. Pulaski — Margaret J. Vincent, 99, of Mt. Pulaski, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the H & J Vonderlieth Living Center in Mt. Pulaski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Mt. Pulaski with Father Joseph Dondanville officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the

Lincoln — Dorothy “Jean” Peters, 85, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025, at her home surrounded by her six daughters. Jean Fults was born on October 19, 1939, in Springfield, IL. She was the daughter of Dr. Jeffery and Eleanor “Shug” Fults. Jean is survived by her children, daughters Mary (Ron) Harmsen of Emden, IL, Jane (Greg) Fox of Marietta, GA, Gail (Don) Vitek of Elmhurst, IL, Anne (Dan) Conrady of

Chicago — Anthony “Tony” Mark Feldman, 66, of Chicago, formerly of Lincoln, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025, unexpectedly at the Holland Hospital in Holland, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Peasley Funeral Home in Lincoln. A Prayer Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Anthony “Tony” Mark Feldman was born in Lincoln on April 21, 1959, the son

Services Scheduled for Carol J. Blankenship Atlanta – Carol J. Blankenship, 78, of Atlanta, passed away on Monday, December 2, at her home. *** Memorial Services for Carol on Thursday, June 12, 2025, will be officiated by Rev. Larry Collins at 11:00 a.m. at the Funks Grove Chapel at Funks Grove Cemetery, rural McLean, Illinois. Cremation Rites were accorded. Inurnment will be in the Funks Grove Columbarium. *** Carol J. Willmert was born April 24,