obituaries
Recent obituaries in Cumberland County, Richland County, Jasper County, Effingham County, and the surrounding areas in Illinois.
The obituaries in the Cumberland County, Richland County, Jasper County, Effingham County, and the surrounding areas in Illinois area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity that shape our region’s history and identity.
Lori Ann Hundley
Mar 9, 2026
Lori Ann (Bare) Hundley of Olney, Illinois was born on January 25, 1961. She was the devoted and only daughter of Don and Carolyn (Black) Bare. She was a loving sister to Kevin Bare and treasured her family deeply throughout her life.
She was also the cherished mother of Matthew (Jamie) Hundley and the late Jonathan Hundley. Being a mom was...
Reverend Gary A. Wachtel
Mar 5, 2026
Reverend Gary A Wachtel, age 78 of Olney, Illinois, passed away on March 5, 2026. Gary was born on July 1, 1947, in Olney, Illinois, the son of Cecil and Marie (Stacy) Wachtel. Gary met his wife Beth (Osborne), and they were married on February 14, 1998, at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Olney, Illinois
Funeral Service for Gary will be...
Norma Louise Wells
Mar 3, 2026
Norma Louise Wells, age 88
June 19, 1937 – March 3, 2026
Norma Louise Wells, age 88, of Greenup, Illinois, passed away at 4:45 PM - Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at her home.
Funeral services celebrating Norma’s life will be held at 11:00 AM – Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home – Bishop Chapel in Greenup, Illinois. The burial will...
Leroy Ky Brooks
Feb 28, 2026
Leroy Ky Brooks, age 85
May 22, 1940 - February 28, 2026
Leroy Ky Brooks, age 85, of Newton, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly at 2:30 PM - Saturday, February 28, 2026, at his home.
Funeral services celebrating Leroy’s life will be held at 11:00 AM – Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Central Christian Church in Newton, Illinois, with Gary Hall and Mike...
Linda Sue Bower
Feb 28, 2026
Linda Sue Bower, age 74
May 17, 1951 - February 28, 2026
Linda Sue Bower, age 74, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:17 PM - Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.
Funeral services celebrating Linda’s life will be held at 11:00AM - Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Brother Larry...
Frank Joseph Meyer
Feb 25, 2026
Frank Joseph Meyer, age 67
June 12, 1958 - February 25, 2026
Frank Joseph Meyer, age 67, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and formerly of Wheeler, Illinois, and Columbus, Ohio, passed away at Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, at his home.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM – Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Island Grove,...
Rose Dalene (Cornwell) Lester
Feb 22, 2026
Rose Dalene (Cornwell) Lester, age 72
September 3, 1953 - February 22, 2026
Rose Dalene (Cornwell) Lester, age 72, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 6:15 PM - Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga, Illinois.
A service celebrating Dalene’s, will be held at 1:00 PM – Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Unlimited Glory Assembly, 13501 North North Street,...
Donald Thomas Helregel
Feb 20, 2026
Donald Thomas Helregel, 93, passed away on February 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at home in Lexington, KY, after a long illness.
Don was born on December 28, 1932, and raised on his family’s farm in Sainte Marie, Illinois, the eldest child of Edward Charles Helregel and Mildred Catherine (Gowin) Helregel. Don remembered his childhood as both hardworking and...
Clara Rose (Hinterscher) Wilson
Feb 20, 2026
Clara Rose (Hinterscher) Wilson, age 80
December 9, 1945 - February 20, 2026
Clara Rose (Hinterscher) Wilson, age 80, of Toledo, Illinois, passed away at 4:41 AM - Friday, February 20, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM – Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church in...
Marilyn June Steffee
Feb 18, 2026
Marilyn June Steffee known as June, age 87 of Olney, passed away on February 18, 2026, at Helia Healthcare of Olney.
June was born on June 25, 1938, in Clay City Illinois, the daughter of Ross and Hilda Travis. She married Dale Evans in 1955. They had five children together. She later married Larry Steffee.
Services will be held on Saturday, February...
Daniel "Dan" Edward Eagleson
Feb 18, 2026
Daniel Edward Eagleson, age 71
March 15, 1954 - February 18, 2026
Daniel Edward Eagleson, known to all of us as Dan, at the age of 71, passed away on February 18, 2025. While we feel the weight of his absence, we find comfort in knowing that Dan has gone home to Jesus to be with those who went before him. He...
Barbara Ann Hanson
Feb 16, 2026
Barbara Ann Hanson, age 91
May 10, 1934 - February 16, 2026
Barbara Ann Hanson, age 91, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 10:20 PM – Monday, February 16, 2026, at Helia Healthcare of Newton.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM – Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois, with Reverend Amy Jeffries officiating. In...
Philip Layne Griffith
Feb 11, 2026
Philip Layne Griffith, age 58
March 26, 1967 - February 11, 2026
Philip Layne Griffith, age 58, of Hidalgo, Illinois, passed away at 9:43 PM – Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
A service celebrating Philip’s life will held at 11:00 AM – Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Plainfield Church east of Rose Hill, Illinois, with Tom Matson officiating. A private burial will be...
Stacey L. Mays
Feb 4, 2026
Stacey L. Mays, age 48 of Olney, passed away on February 4, 2026, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana. Stacey was born on May 28, 1977, in Olney, Illinois, the daughter of Farrell and Kathy (Martin) Hunt.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM atthe Antioch Christian Church in rural Olney, Illinois.
Arrangements...
Charles Smith, Jr.
Jan 28, 2026
Charles Smith Jr., age 60 of Olney, passed away on January 28, 2026, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital. Â Charles was born on June12, 1965, in Fort Dix, New Jersey, the son Charles and Vivian (Drews) Smith. No services will be held per his wishes. Arrangements are under the care of Meyer Funeral Home in Olney. The obituary...
Matilda Catherine Hemrich
Jan 25, 2026
Matilda Catherine Hemrich, age 91
April 28, 1934 – January 25, 2026
Matilda Catherine Hemrich, age 91, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:11 PM - Sunday, January 25, 2026, at HSHS St Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.
Mass of Christian...
Joyce Ann Stockwell
Jan 24, 2026
Joyce Ann Stockwell, age 85
April 12, 1940 – January 24, 2026
Joyce Ann Stockwell, age 85, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 5:54 AM - Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.
A service celebrating Joyce's life will be...
Donnie Gene Ford, Sr
Jan 19, 2026
Donnie Gene Ford, Sr, age 82
December 29, 1943 – January 19, 2026
Donnie Gene Ford, Sr, age 82, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 7:00 PM - Monday, January 19, 2026, at Helia Healthcare of Newton.
A service celebrating Donnie's life...
Donald "Don" Joseph Ochs
Jan 18, 2026
Donald Joseph "Don" Ochs, age 75
September 2, 1950 - January 18, 2026
Donald Joseph "Don" Ochs, age 75, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:44 AM - Sunday, January 18, 2026, at his home surrounded by his children.
Mass of Christian Burial...
Kenneth Grove
Jan 14, 2026
Kenneth Grove, age 87 of Olney, passed away on January 14, 2026, at Helia Health Care in Olney, Illinois. Kenneth was born on October 15, 1938, in Olney, Illinois, the son Ervin and Eva (Musgrove) Grove. Kenny married Sue Crackel on July 3, 1969, in Olney, Illinois and she preceded him in death on July 21, 2019....
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