Thomas D. Selph Sr

Thomas D. Selph Sr, 82, of St. David, passed away at 4:06 a.m., on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at his residence. He was born February 1, 1944, in Canton, to Harvey and Mabel (Newlun) Selph. Thomas married Carol “Sue” Bixby on August 24, 1977, in Bryant, IL. She survives.

Thomas is also survived by three children, Amanda (Cody) Bishop of Canton, Mary (Mark) Lasswell of Macomb, and Michelle Bevard of Cuba; one sister, Brenda (the late Bob) Gardener; eight grandchildren, Kaley (Jacob) Lancaster, Dalys Grove, Hunter Grove, Dakota (Bobby) Herlitz, and Logan Hukill; and three great-grandchildren, Grayson Newell, Oakley Lancaster, and Roseanne Herlitz.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; three children, Thomas D. Selph Jr., Michael Selph, and Matthew Selph; and one brother, Terry Selph (Kathy Lock).

Thomas was a Coal Miner for various coal mines in the area. Later on, he was a security guard for MSD. He also helped his father run S & S Auto Sales for many years.

Thomas was a former Canton Moose Lodge member. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and mushrooming, but especially enjoyed spending time outdoors with his family.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be made to the family.

To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfueralhome.com

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

Linda L. Bitner

Linda L. Bitner, 87, of Canton, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at her home. She was born November 1, 1938, in Canton, to Lyle and Eva (Guffey) Clark.

Linda married Kenneth Bitner on June 2, 1956, in Farmington. He preceded her in death on May 10, 2009.

Linda is survived by three children, Bonne (Frank) Cooper of Burlington, IA, Mark Bitner of Canton, IL, and Todd (Jan) Bitner of Canton, IL; ten grandchildren, Erika, Nick, Rachel, Alicia, Tyler, Tia, Joey, Mark, Kyndra, and Stevie; eighteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchild.

Linda is also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Robert “Bob Bubba” Bitner; and one brother, Vernon Clark.

Linda was a secretary at Graham Hospital for 29 years. She attended Lakeland Community Church. Linda loved dancing, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. A visitation will be held the same day prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow the service at White Chapel Memory Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Association and the Fulton County Humane Society.

To view Linda’s video tribute or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

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

Dean Lee Powell

Dean Lee Powell, 75, of Canton Illinois passed away at his home at 8:15 AM on Friday, May 29, 2026. He was born on August 28, 1950 in Canton, Illinois to Joseph “Chet” Powell and Anna Lea (Giberson) Powell.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sandra K. (Gordon) Powell of Canton, Illinois; his daughters, Michelle (Jason) Coker of Canton, Illinois, Jenelle (Djimitri) Francois of Chicago, Illinois, and Elizabeth (Tyler) Miller of Canton, Illinois; his grandchildren, Vanessa,Brayden, and Whitney Coker of Canton, Illinois, Rio and Rocco Francois of Chicago, Illinois; and one sister, Susan (Kevin) Pollitt of Canton, Illinois; and a nephew, Paul (Andrea) Pollitt and a niece Karen Pollitt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his two infant sisters.

Dean worked for American Pest Control for 6 years, International Harvester for 3 years, and owned and operated Powell’s Pest Control for more than 25 years.

He enjoyed car shows and showing his 1973 Dodge. He loved traveling and spending time with his grandkids, and he was a DIE-HARD Cubs fan, and an Illini football season ticket holder since 1988. Dean was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Canton Illinois, where he sang in the church choir and played trombone in the church orchestra. He pitched softball for the church, and worked with the children’s ministry for 32 years. His faith in Jesus Christ was important to him, and he always found joy in the Lord. 

A funeral service will be held on Friday June 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held on Thursday June 4, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Friday June 5, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Sedgwick Funeral Homes and Crematory in Canton, Illinois. Revs. Matt Spangler and Brandon Theobald will officiate. Burial will be at Zion Cemetery in Fiatt, IL. Memorials may be made to Evangelical Free Church in Canton, Illinois, or to the National Kidney Foundation since he was a transplant recipient fifteen years ago from his kidney angel. Online condolences may be made at www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

Mary E. Wilson

Mary E. Wilson, 81, of Vermont, IL passed away at 7:55 pm on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at her home. She was born on September 24, 1944 in Seville, IL, the daughter of Charles and Erma (White) Bevard. She married John Dennis on November 14, 1962 in Table Grove, IL. John preceded Mary in death on February 17, 1983. She later married George “Rusty” Wilson on March 31, 1984 in Vermont, IL. Rusty preceded Mary in death on February 2, 2019.

She is also preceded in death by her parents, one son; Danny Dennis, and one sister; Marilyn Kitch.

She is survived by her children, Peggy (and Brad) Eddington of Vermont, Johnny (and Denika) Dennis of Table Grove, and Dusty (and Laura) Wilson of Austin, TX, grandchildren; Nichole (and Josh) Miller of Ipava, Jonathan (and Ashley) Vance of Vermont, Danny (and Kailey) Vance of Goodlettsville, TN, Michael Dennis of Table Grove, Austin (and Rose) Dennis of Table Grove, MacKenzie Dennis of Table Grove, Ethan Dennis of Table Grove, Abagail Wilson of Austin, TX, Madison Wilson of Austin, TX, Andrew Wilson of Austin, TX, and Aaron Eddington of Texas, great-grandchildren; Kathrin Miller, Keagan Miller, Hayden Vance, Dexter Vance, Emerie Vance, Elsey Vance, Delilah Dennis, Lily Dennis and twins on the way, and one sister-in-law, Sandy Belville.

Mary worked at several places including Hardee’s as a hostess, Wesley in Macomb as a receptionist and was a greeter at Wal-Mart. She was also owner and operator of R and M Service and Sales in Vermont with her husband Rusty. She also did a lot of baby-sitting.

Mary enjoyed bird watching, raising peacocks, working outdoors in her garden and landscaping. She also enjoyed cooking and baking (making the best cheeseburgers in Fulton County and candy for Christmas), watching gameshows and the Hallmark Channel, and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 1, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL. Pastor Brant Reed will be officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Vermont Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the McDonough District Hospital Hospice.

Sharon J. Hall

Sharon J. Hall, 82, of Elmwood, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at her home.

Sharon was born August 20, 1943, in Elmwood, to Floyd and Lois (Settles) Hall.

Sharon is survived by two children, Christina Metz of Yates City, and James (Julie) Foster of Elmwood; one brother, Dave (Diana) Hall; five grandchildren, Tasha (Josh) Taylor, Alicia (Brandon) Provence, Levi Taylor, Chelsi Taylor (Les), and Lillie Foster; and eight great-grandchildren.

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents; one half-brother, Bob Hall; three brothers, Floyd “Buddy” Hall, Michael Hall, and Steve Hall; and two sisters, Eleanor Wheeler and Roberta Foster.

Sharon was a member of Faith Tabernacle Church of Canton. She loved her dogs and enjoyed garage sales and thrift shopping.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Township Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and B.Y.E. Ambulance.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

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

Velva A. Fletcher

Velva Ann Fletcher, age 72, passed away on May 21, 2026, at Springfield Memorial Hospital with her loving family by her side.

Velva was born on October 12, 1953, in Canton, Illinois. She built a life centered around family, love, loyalty, and creating memories with the people she cared about most. Quiet and reserved by nature, Velva was never someone who needed attention to make an impact. Her love was shown in steady, thoughtful ways — through the care she gave, the traditions she kept, and the unwavering presence she provided to the people she loved.

She is survived by her loving husband, Timothy Allen Fletcher of Havana, Illinois. Together they shared 40 years of marriage, travel, and adventures, including several trips to Mexico that became some of their favorite memories. In her younger years, Velva loved riding on the back of the motorcycle with Tim and spending time out on the boat, enjoying the sunshine and water.

She was a devoted mother to Teri Witherell (TT), Michelle McClure (James), Mandi Hayden, and Troy Fletcher (Megan) and loved her family deeply. She was also a proud grandmother to Dalton Bryant, Macy Witherell, Reagan Weller (Jason), Brock and Tanner Hayden, Trace, Rilee, and Eli Fletcher, and Chase Hughes. She was also blessed with great-granddaughters Madison (“Maddie”) Bryant and Hattie Weller.

She is survived by her mother, Faith Foster, age 99; her brother, Greg Foster (Wendy); and many family members and friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her father, Beverly “BD” Foster, her brother Dennis Foster, her mother-in-law Esther Fletcher, and her granddaughter Bailie Bryant.

Velva loved annual daughters’ trips, was an avid reader who always had a book on her Kindle, and was an animal lover who adored her dogs Smoky and Petey and supported the ASPCA. She faithfully visited her mother every week and often visited family graves to lovingly change flowers with the seasons.

Services will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Hopewell Church in Snicarte for the family.

Velva will be remembered for her love, loyalty, strength, and the deep care she gave to those around her.

Michael Edward Fuller

Michael Edward Fuller, 62, of Smithfield, passed away at 4:15 AM on Monday, May 25, 2026 at The Elms in Macomb, IL. He was born on June 5, 1963 in Arcadia, CA, to Gerald “Butch” Fuller and Mary (Sass) Blankenship.

He is survived by his parents, step-mom, Gretchen Fuller; two sisters, Tammy (Ed) Heap and Samantha (Jared) Gilliam; one brother-in-law, Dan Hughes; five nephews, Jimmy Davies, Jonathon Heitzman, Ryan Hughes, Cody Gilliam, and Collin Gilliam; and two step nephews, Hunter and Wyatt Heap.

He is preceded in death by one sister, Cathy Hughes.

Michael liked to fish and watch The Price is Right.

Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com