Renee Marie Downing

Renee Marie Downing, 44, of Canton, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026 at OSF St Francis Hospital in Peoria.

She was born on March 10, 1982 in Canton.

Surviving is her mother, Beverly (Carlock) Hood of Lewistown, step father, Larry Hood, sons, Jayden Siegfried of Canton, Dawson Siegfried of Canton, daughter, Madyson Siegfried of Farmington, the father of her children, Gabriel “Gabe” Siegfried, paternal grandparents, Jerry and Betty Downing, grandchild, Fletcher Siegfried, brother, Tony Atterberry of Jacksonville, IL, sister, Nicole Downing of Morton and step sister, April Coon.

Preceding her in death is her father, Jeffrey Downing and maternal grandparents, Ernest and Elizabeth Carlock.

Renee worked in home health care field as a caregiver to the elderly and physically disabled. She enjoyed collecting snowmen, gnomes and anything Christmas related. She spent many hours journaling. She was also a cat lover. Most of all Renee was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11 am at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton with a visitation held one hour prior at the funeral home.

Cremation rites will follow the services.

Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Betty Jean Keithley

Betty Jean Keithley, 71, of Fairview passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Renaissance Care Center in Canton.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. Burial of her ashes will take place at the Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb at a later date.

Beverly Bishop

Beverly D. (Helle) Bishop, of Cuba, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at Graham Hospital. She was born on February 6, 1938, in Smithfield, Illinois, to Frederick Helle and MaryLee (Lamb) Helle.

On June 16, 1956, Beverly married the love of her life, Ron Bishop, who preceded her in death. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and community.

Beverly is lovingly remembered by her children: Leesa Beecham of Canton, Cathy Howd of Paris, Tennessee, and Brad (Dawn) Bishop of St. Paris, Ohio. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Michael Welch; Joshua (Ira Katzman); Dylan (Kayleigh) Howd; Collin (Maggie) Howd; Tarah Bishop; Luke Bishop; Mackenzie Bishop; Dylan Dixon; Mark Dixon; and Kirstyn (Abram) Gillam. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren, who brought her immense joy.

Beverly dedicated her professional life to caring for others as a medical laboratory technician, retiring from Mason District Hospital after many years of service. Her commitment to helping others extended beyond her work and into every aspect of her life.

A woman of deep faith, Beverly was a longtime member of the Cuba Christian Church, where she served as choir director for many years. Her musical talents were a gift to all who knew her—she was an accomplished musician who played the piano, violin, and banjo, sharing her love of music generously with her church and community.

She was an active member and past president of the Cuba chapter of P.E.O. CB, where she formed lasting friendships and contributed meaningfully to the organization’s mission.

Beverly’s family would like to extend special gratitude to niece and nephew Theresa (Bishop) Marshall and Bruce Marshall, for their unwavering care, love, and support throughout the years.

Beverly will be remembered for her kindness, her devotion to her family, her musical spirit, and the warmth she brought into the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy of love and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Memorial Service to be held Memorial Day Weekend. Memorials can be made to the Cuba Christian Church. More information will be made available as the date approaches.

Robert E. West

Robert E. “Bob” West, 71, of rural Astoria and formerly of Lewistown passed away Tuesday March 17, 2026 at his home.

He was born August 22, 1954 at Canton the son of Robert and Betty L. (Althiser) West. They preceded him in death. Surviving are his life partner, Janet Mustread of rural Astoria, one son Jeremy (Christine) Lennington, of Lewistown, two sisters, Glenda (John) Barclay of Lewistown, and Sharon West Gilpin of Lewistown, five grandchildren, Payton, Addison, Ava, Journee, and Kinsley, and several nephews.

Bob worked at International Harvester in Canton, National Standard in Havana, and then retired from Goodman’s sawmill in Lewistown. He enjoyed playing shuffleboard, fishing, coon hunting with his dogs, Tater & Max, mushrooming, and cooking, especially fish.

Cremation will be accorded. A celebration of life will be held from 1 pm until ?, Saturday April 18, 2026 at the Lewistown VFW Post 5001. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com.

Jennie Corrine Switzer

Jennie Corrine Switzer passed away at 10:23 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at The Loft in Canton, Illinois. She was born on July 13, 1946 at Graham Hospital in Canton, the youngest of 10 children born to Samuel Abner and Henrietta Ida (Buley) Switzer. All preceded her in death.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Jennie attended school in Astoria, Illinois. Life took her to many places. She lived in New Mexico, Arizona, and several places in Illinois. She worked as a housekeeper in the hotel industry. Jennie returned to Canton in 2010 and lived at Maple Manor for ten years.

She loved to read, write poetry, color, and paint ceramics. If you ever received a card or letter from her in the mail, it was nicely decorated with her artwork and stenciling.

Services for Jennie will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8th at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Visitation will take place 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Woodland Cemetery, just east of Astoria on route 24. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jennie’s memory may be made to The Kingdon Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1566 East Ash Street, Canton, IL 61520.

Michael H. Foster

Michael H. Foster, 69, of Beardstown, IL, passed away at 5:30 pm on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, IL. He was born on December 28, 1956 in Canton, IL, the son of Harold and Marjorie (Groff) Foster. Michael married Luciea Irene Troutman on February 16, 1978 in Summum, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are his two sons; Steven Foster of Belleville, IL and Jason (and Marina) Foster of Fairmont City, IL, four grandchildren; Keltyn Foster, Emmileah Foster, Zoey Foster and Aleah McGinnis, one great-grandson; Benico Vega, three sisters; Linda Roosa of Farmington, IL, Carol (and Paul) Stambaugh of Astoria, IL and Merrie Jean (and Roy) Parry of Astoria, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter; Valesha Foster, brother; Jerry Foster, brother-in-law; Gale Roosa and one niece; Londa Bollinger.

Michael was a life long mechanic. He was also on the Astoria Fire Department for sixteen years.

He enjoyed playing softball and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Michael loved fast cars and was a big NASCAR and NHRA fan.

Services will be held at 11 am on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL. Pastor Matt Haberman will be officiating. A visitation will take place from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home. Memorials in memory of Michael may be made to the Astoria Fire and Rescue Department.

Janet Sue Gibson

Janet Sue Gibson, 76, of Yates City, passed away at 10:10 a.m., on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Farmington Village.

Janet was born April 4, 1949, in Pekin, IL, to Ralph and Beverly (Buhl) Sloan.

Janet married Kenneth Gibson on April 4, 1971, in Edwards, IL. He survives.

Janet is also survived by two children, Michele (Greg) Davis of Rozet, WY, and Keith (Nancy Shriber) Gibson of Canton, IL; one brother, Neal (Mona) Buhl; two sisters, Gail (Ed) Dray and Sharon (the late Kelly) Bumgarner; three grandchildren, Garrett Mangus, Sam Mangus, and Lauren Sercel; and two great-grandchildren, Cash Mangus and Maria “Mia” Mangus.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Mark Sloan.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Yates City Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to B.Y.E. Ambulance.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.