Obituaries

Lincoln — Norma Jean Chere, 85, of Lincoln, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at HSHS Saint John’s Hospital in Springfield. Private family services will be held. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Norma Jean Chere was born on December 17, 1940, in Middletown, the daughter of Norman Russell Chere and Margaret Louise Scholties Chere. She is survived by two nieces: Kimberly (William) Frizzell and Kelly (Chris) Jones. and great nieces and nephews: Kaitlyn (Scott)

Lincoln — Angela “Angie” L. (Bates) Gallagher, 45, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at her home. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Peasley Funeral Home with Mr. Ron Otto officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Peasley Funeral Home. Angela Lynn Bates was born on June 8, 1980, in

Middletown — Steve R. Thornton, 67, of Middletown, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Graveside Services will be held at a later date at Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Middletown. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Steve R. Thornton was born on October 16, 1958, in Decatur, the son of Gerald R. Thornton and Carolyn Sue Brunner Thornton. He was united in marriage to Donna Dobey. He is survived

Atlanta — Betty A. Applegate, 97, of Atlanta, passed away at Timber Creek Village in Lincoln on Friday, February 6, 2026. Services for Mrs. Applegate will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home in Atlanta. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. and will conclude with a Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m. with Rev. Deborah J. Johnston officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Atlanta Cemetery. Betty Ann

Mackinaw — Randy E. Presswood, 66, of Mackinaw, passed away on December 27, 2025, at his home. *** Services for Randy are scheduled for Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Armington Christian Church in Armington, IL. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Mr. Tyler Escoubas. In honor of Randy’s love of baseball, the family asks that all who attend please feel free to wear your

McLean – Donna K. Worth, 79, of McLean, passed away at Carle BroMenn Medical Center on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Cremation Rites have been accorded. A private family Celebration of Life will be held. Donna K. Hawkins was born August 6, 1946, the daughter of Donald Eugene and Lala L. Young Hawkins. She was united in marriage to William “Bill” R. Worth on October 8, 1965, at the Waynesville United Methodist Church. Donna is survived

Maroa — Leo “Eddie” E. Evans Jr., 65, of Maroa, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at his home. A Celebration of his Life will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 4:00 p. m. until 8:00 p. m. at the Knights of Columbus, 217 Limit Street, Lincoln, Illinois 62656. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Leo Edward Evans, Jr. was born June 23, 1960, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Leo Edward Evans,

Normal — Phillip Louis Mastrolia, 65, of Normal, Illinois, died of prostate cancer and other health complications on January 30, 2026. He was born in Roseville, California, in 1960, to Edmund and Lilyan Mastrolia, with big brother John only 18 months old. Phil attended La Sierra High School before studying Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California Davis. Phil met the love of his life, Laurie, in 1983 at a Stake singles’ dance

Lincoln — Bernadine Joyce Rempe, 70, of Lincoln, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. No Services are scheduled at this time. A private celebration of life amongst her family will be held. Bernadine Joyce Francis was born on August 20, 1955, in Russell, Kansas, the daughter of John C. And Lucille Kathyrn Melburger Francis. She is survived by her life partner of 18 years: Will Wilson, one

Mt. Pulaski — Barbara Jean Rice-Defrees, 74, of Mt. Pulaski, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the H&J Vonderlieth Living Center. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Barbara Jean Stansbury was born on May 1, 1951, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of David Herschal and Mary Fox Stansbury. She was united in marriage to Raymond Butch Defrees. He preceded her in death on November 22, 2006. She

Atlanta – Ada F. Parks, 83, of Atlanta, passed away at Lincoln Village Healthcare Center in Lincoln on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Services for Ada will be held at the Atlanta Christian Church. Visitation will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Funeral Services will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026. Burial will follow at the Atlanta Cemetery. Ada F. Myers was born in West Salem, Ill.,

Andrew Liesman, Elkhart, IL May 2, 2005 – January 2, 2026 Andrew was deeply cherished in life by many, including his beloved “momma,” Becky Beggs; stepfather, Brad Beggs; and grandparents, Carolyn Brooks, Doug & Linda Brooks, and Dennis Beggs. His significant other, Alyssa Beutow, along with stepbrother Justin (Val) Beggs, numerous extended family members, and a circle of friends who will carry his memory forward. They survive along with his unborn daughter, Oaklynn Marie. From

Franklin, IL — Arletta Mae Dewitt, 85, of Franklin, formerly of San Jose, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Arletta Mae Craigmiles was born on July 26, 1940, in Mosher, Illinois, the daughter of Roy Lee and Sadie Francis Bauser Craigmiles. She was united in marriage to Gary Lee Dewitt in 1963. He survives. Also surviving

Lincoln — Janet “Jan” L. Kissick, 71, of Lincoln, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at her home. Janet Leigh Shull was born on April 27, 1954, at St. Clara’s Hospital in Lincoln, the daughter of Darwin and Norma Holmes Shull. She is survived by her children Melissa “Mit” (Trent) Cockburn and Craig (Tammy) Zinser; her mother Norma Snyder; sister Kathy Aderman; brother Dennis (Mamie) Shull; and sister-in-law Tammy Shull; grandchildren Ashley (Zach) Bryan, Connor Zinser,

Greenview — Rudy Heyen, 81, of Greenview, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Irish Grove Cemetery in rural Middletown, Illinois. Rudy was born on October 29, 1944, in Lincoln, the son of Rudolph and Ilda Boward Heyen. He is survived by his children: Lori Heyen and Brent Heyen; one brother: Gary (Janet) Heyen; six grandchildren: Kevin Heyen,

Lincoln — Annie M. Baunach, 88, of Lincoln, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial Service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Joseph Dondanville officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lincoln. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Peasley Funeral Home in

Mason City — James E. Bell, 78, of Mason City, passed away in Lincoln on Saturday, December 27, 2025. No Services are scheduled at this time. Burial will be at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield. James Edward Bell was born on August 30, 1947, in Missouri, the son of Scott Braden and Hazel Mae Schwidde Bell. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Tripplett on January 26, 1972. She survives.

Atlanta – Derrell O. Vannoy, 89, of Atlanta, passed away at his home on Monday, December 29, 2025. Services for Derrell will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Eminence Christian Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., followed by Funeral Services officiated by Mr. Ron Otto. Burial will be on his family farm in rural Atlanta. Derrell Otis Vannoy was born November 15, 1936, in Kenney, the son of

Mackinaw — Randy E. Presswood, 66, of Mackinaw, passed away on December 27, 2025, at his home. A Celebration of Randy’s Life will be held at a later date. Cremation Rites have been accorded. Randy E. Presswood was born on July 22, 1959, in Lincoln, the son of Floyd Presswood and Dorlis Edwards and Robert Brandt. He is survived by his daughters: Natasha (David) Kraushaar and Tara (Colin) Heinz; one sister: Reta (Buddy) Wilson; and

Atlanta – Alice M. Turner, 93, of Atlanta, passed away at Goldwater Care in Clinton on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Services for Alice will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Eminence Christian Church in rural Atlanta. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by Funeral Services at 12:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be led by Mr. Henry Johnson and Mr. Gil Turner. Burial will follow at Mountjoy Cemetery. Alice M. Bicknell was born