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.

Frederick “Jerry” Marquis Jr.

Frederick “Jerry” Marquis Jr, 91, of Canton, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Farmington Village.

He was born on December 6, 1934 in Pekin.

He married Verna “Eileen” Tevis on December 10, 1955 in Melvern, KS. She survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Sr and Nellie (Winship) Marquis, his birth mother, Nellie Ashley, one son Richard Marquis and two close first cousins.

Also surviving are his children, Jeri (Clif) O’Brien, Tony (Terrie) Marquis, six grandchildren, Keith Marquis, Bailee O’Brien, Josh Marquis, Jason Marquis, Carlie Rowe, Dusty Marquis and seven great grandchildren

Jerry served several years in the U.S. Air Force serving in the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam. He became a heavy equipment operator in the service. After his discharge he worked for Norad and lastly for the City of Ottawa in Kansas retiring in 1999. He achieved numerous awards for his skills as an operator. One of his favorite past times was fishing in the Spoon River.

Cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Fulton County Humane Society.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

John G. Workman

Canton- John G. Workman, 71, of Canton, passed away at 5:58 AM on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at his residence after a bout with cancer. He was born on June 16, 1954 in Moline, Illinois, a son of Wallace and Katherine (Johnson) Workman. He married Amber (Harris) Dornon on August 24, 1996 in Peoria. She survives.

He was previously married to Cyndi Glines, and had a daughter, Katherine. He then married Elaine Anderson, and had two sons, Dennis John, and Douglas Alan.

Preceding John in death were his parents, an infant sister, his older sister, Grace Campbell, and his brother Ronald Workman.

He is survived by his wife, Amber Dornon; his brothers Paul (Ruth) Workman of California, and Joel (Teresa) Morris of Florida, his daughter, Katherine Peters; his two sons, Dennis Workman, and Douglas Workman; numerous grandchildren, and nieces & nephews.

John enjoyed working on cars and watching Dale Earnhardt Sr. race in NASCAR. However, his true love was driving an 18-wheeler cross country. He always said he felt like it was his “calling”. He felt free behind the wheel of that big truck.

At his request, there will be no services, celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date, and cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. If you wish to make a donation in honor of John, please forward it to your local animal shelter of your choice. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Denise Brown

Denise K. Brown, 59, of Canton, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026 after a long battle with cancer, at the Graham Hospital in Canton.

She was born on August 19, 1966 in Canton.

She married Mark Brown on February 25, 1994. He survives.

Also surviving is her father, Jack (Linda) Lafary, mother, Donna Eve, children, Tara (Chris) Fulton of Canton, Molly (Jake) Blickhan of Springfield, Kirsti (Josh) Hoopingarner of Trivoli, Matt (Courtney) Brown of Hanna City, Josh (Robert) Brown of Peoria, sisters, Lisa (Jerry) Butcher of Vermont, Brandi (Aaron) Williams of Canton, grandchildren, Trey, Madyson, Lauryn, Avery, Kendall, Jordan, Shep, Ty, Georgie, Scarlet, Griffin and several nieces and nephews.

Denise worked in banking at Heritage Bank in Trivoli and later for Red Brand Credit Union in Bartonville. Mark and her would enjoy spending their time together with a round of golf or a game of bowling.

The most important part of her life was being a grandmother and spoiling her grandkids with love.

Denise fought the battle with cancer with courage and determination, inspiring those around her with strength and resilience.

She will be deeply missed, but forever remembered by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 11 am at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton with a visitation held one hour prior at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thymoma and Thymic Care Research.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com