Daniel L. Gunter

Daniel Lee Gunter, 74, of Havana, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 8:15 a.m. at Mason District Hospital in Havana. Dan was born on February 14, 1952 in Canton, Illinois to Fred Gunter Jr. and Estyl Danner. He married Bonnie (Bubert) Gunter at Dickson Mounds on August 18th, 1990. She survives.

Dan is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his daughter, Shirley (Christian) Wood; his grandchildren, Elliot Holcomb and Ronin Wood; step-brother, Jeff McCombs; his cat, Jack; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dan is preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Lawrence McCombs; and his cats, Dobi and Chester.
Dan attended schools in Astoria, graduating in 1970. Dan’s first job at 13 years old was at the Subway Café in Astoria. He then went on to work at Chuck and Bill’s Bi-Rite Grocery Store until he was drafted into the US Army in 1972. Dan was stationed in Germany for 19 months, then honorably discharged in August 1974.
After arriving home, Dan went to work at Bohn Aluminum and Brass in Beardstown. He was later offered a job with Amax Coal Company in Vermont, IL as a Surveyor Helper. He later became a member of the United Mine Workers in 1977 until December 1983. After being laid off from the coal mine, Dan was offered a job at Mason District Hospital in 1984. Dan was a member of the Astoria Volunteer Fire Department from 1975 as a firefighter, Emergency Rescue Technician and EMT. He was a captain and assistant chief during his time there. After moving to Havana in 1985, Dan served on both the Havana City and Rural Fire Departments.
Dan’s memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana, with a visitation two hours prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Jim Neely will officiate.
Memorial donations may be made in Dan’s name to the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

Nicolè "Nikki" I. Lewis

Nicolè (Nikki) I. Lewis, 75, of Canton, IL passed away at her home on Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 8:20am. She was born March 29th, 1951 in Canton, IL to Orville and Ila Lewis.

Surviving Nicolè is her son, Douglas Hopkins. 3 brothers, Gerald Lewis, Glen Lewis, and Anthony Lewis. 10 nephews and nieces, Allen, David, Bridget, Brice, Adam, Jerry Jr, Aaron, Joshua, Glen Jr, and Nicholas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, John Lewis and Bill Lewis, and 1 sister, Patricia Hopkins.

Nicolè retired from AT&T after many years in service. She enjoyed woodworking, needle point sewing, and especially loved camping outdoors.

Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Tampico, IL, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Indian College Fund in her name. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Online condolences may be left at www.segwickfuneralhomes.com

Terry L. Utsinger

Terry L. Utsinger, 55, of Ellisville, passed away on November 1, 2026 at OSF St. Mary’s Hospital in Galesburg, after a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on January 20, 1971 in Canton to Warren and Peggy (Steck) Utsinger Sr. He is survived by his life partner of 32 years, Laura Ward. Also surviving are two brothers; Warren Utsinger Jr. of Fairview and Ronald (Kathy) Utsinger of Ellisville and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Terry was a 1989 graduate of Spoon River Valley High School and later received an associates degree from Spoon River College. He worked at Admiral in Galesburg for 15 years. After Admiral closed he returned to working as a farmer in rural Ellisville.

Terry enjoyed spending time on the farm with Laura, and could often be found sitting outside in the shade sharing a beverage and laughs with family and friends.

Cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to the Fairview Fire Protection District at 700 Carter in Fairview, IL. 61431. To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Janet L. Shank

Janet L. Shank, age 84 of Quincy, Illinois, formerly of Macomb, IL, passed away at 12:05 pm on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Sunset Home in Quincy.  She was born on February 15, 1942 in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Weir and Eleaner (Schulz) Goveia.

Janet married James Shank and her survives, living in Quincy.  She is also survived by her daughter, Frances (and Dan) Reinhard of Quincy, 3 grandchildren, Ryne (and Jess) Reinhard, Randy Reinhard, and Kelsey (and Jon) Elson, 3 great-grandchildren; Petra, Cameron and Lilee, and 2 sisters; Elaine (Larry) Chambers of Bernadotte, IL and Joyce Crouse of Macomb.

Janet was preceded in death by grandson Tys Reinhard and her brother Theodore Goveia.

She worked for Hy-Vee, catering school lunches to St. Paul’s School in Macomb.  She also worked with her parents at the Parkview Restaurant in Bernadotte.

Janet was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Macomb and Ipava, IL and attended the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Quincy.  She was a member of the Ipava Order of the Eastern Star.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL.  Kelly Ingersoll will officiate.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Vermont Cemetery, Vermont, IL.  Memorials in Janet’s memory may be given to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Macomb, IL.

Sandra Sue Uhland

Sandra Sue Uhland, 80, of Middlegrove, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at home. She was born March 8, 1946, to Hirschel L. and Viola L. (Sheets) DuBois in Canton, IL. She married Lowell V. Uhland on July 4, 1990, at the home of her parents. Lowell preceded her in death on November 2, 2008. Together they raised a daughter.

Sue is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Matthew) Bobell of Middlegrove; two granddaughters, Megan Meade of Cerro Gordo, IL, and Jenna (Clayton) Burhans of Middlegrove; and two adopted granddaughters, Melody (Dillon) Morgan of Cookeville, TN, and Samantha (Noah) Shideman of Farmington. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Londynn Jo, Bellamy Matthew Robert, and Rowan Clayton Uhland Burhans; and four adopted grandsons, Blaze, Braxton, Bryce, and Bowen.

She is also survived by one aunt, Sharon (Richard) Wells of Apache Junction, AZ; two sisters-in-law, Tonie (Jim) Bowdish of Hamilton, IL, and Joye Dell Uhland of Carthage, IL.

Also surviving are the friends she called family: Bonnie, Gary, Caleb, Jacob and their families, Troy, Felicia and Parker, Jim and Nora, Kristi and Todd, Josie, and Linda.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and bonus son, Michael R. Strode.

Sue worked as the snack bar manager at Walmart in Canton for 13 years. Previously, she and her mother owned the Farmers Inn Café in Farmington, IL.

Sue enjoyed spending time at home playing Phase 10, Mexican Train Dominoes, and Dice Club with the girls she went to school with. She was an avid genealogy researcher for her family.

Cremation has been accorded, and a celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Lisa Gonterman

Lisa Gonterman, 58, of Canton, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Sunset Manor in Canton.

She was born on August 25, 1968 in Burlington, Iowa to Gary and Gail (Bivens) Gonterman. They preceded her in death.

Surviving are her children, Alex Kinaman of Burlington, IA, Ashley (Matt) Ford of Bryant and two grandchildren.

Lisa was a devoted cat lover, and her beloved cat, Mufasa, held a special place in her heart.

Per her wishes cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. There will be no services.

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

Helen Louise Pomeroy Thomson

Helen Louise Pomeroy Thomson, 97, of Table Grove, IL passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at The Elms in Macomb, IL.

She was born in Fulton County, Illinois on November 28, 1928 to Clyde Arthur Pomeroy and Myrtle Mae Cluney Pomeroy. She felt her greatest achievements were her sixty year marriage to the love of her life, William Edward Thomson and the births of their three daughters, Persephone Ann (and Michael) Paxton, Cindy Renee Thomson, and Cynthia Louise (and Keith) Krohe; four grandchildren, Ryan (and Olivia) Paxton, Christopher Paxton, Steve (and K) Paxton, and Lauren (and Zeke) Meehan; and six great grandchildren, Ava Paxton, Jolene Paxton, Maren Paxton, Gavin Paxton, James Paxton, and Nathan Meehan.

Also very special persons in her life were her only brother, Donald Lloyd (and Darlene) Pomeroy and only sister, Betty June (and Donald) Hawkins.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, Parents and Sister.

Born on the eve of the Great Depression, Helen attended a one room school house, with a hand fired furnace and outdoor bathrooms. That was a time before school buses when children walked to country schools. By the 1940’s the school bus had come into being and country children were picked up along the highway and driven to the newly organized Lewistown Community High School which allowed Helen to be a graduate of the Class of 1946.

She attended the Lillie Finishing School for Girls and never passed up an opportunity to further her education which became a lifetime endeavor. Her early career found her working at the Home Office for State Farm Insurance Company in Bloomington, Illinois. She was a fashion model for Block and Kuhl’s in Peoria, IL and Mel Beck’s Fashions of New York City when they brought their samples to the Fashion Marts in Chicago. It was this time in her life when a William E. Thomson returned to Illinois after having spent a decade in the theater in New York City following his graduation from the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts.

The Thomson Family farm being located near Table Grove, IL and William’s early theatre experience being traded for a Farm Implement Dealership, the couple made their home in Table Grove. Helen was always active in community affairs serving as secretary for the Parent Teacher Association when the new High School building opened its doors. She became a member of the Table Grove Community Church and served as Church Clerk for her first 12 years while teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and throughout her lifetime she served as Moderator, Trustee and Treasure. She was a sixty+ years as a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an organization that promotes higher education for women.

She became involved in the National Rural Community Arts movement that began in the 1960’s. She was appointed by Governor Thompson to serve on the Community Arts Panels of The Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency. She assisted in the development of Local Art Councils in the State and auditing of distributed government funds. She was an adjunct professor in the Fine Arts Dept. at Western Illinois University acting as Executive Director of their newly formed seven county outreach arts program; “The Two Rivers Arts Council”. She was appointed by Governor Thompson to the commission to Study the effects of Tourism. She was also the Executive Director of the Shad Hill Arts and Culture Center in Farmington, IL during this time.

Helen was a long-time member of the Fulton County Arts Council, Galesburg Civic Arts Center; Illinois Art League: Peoria, and Two Rivers Regional Arts Council. She served on the Spoon River College Foundation board of directors and served as Chairman of the Board. She was listed on the Spoon River College Speakers Roster for many years. Upon enrolling in an adult art course under the direction of Dr. Louise Wood, Helen discovered a latent art talent. She continued formal art studies under W.I.U.’s Art Professor, Dr. Gifford Loomer; extended art studies under the University of Illinois. She received a diploma from the North Light Art School, Cincinnati, OH, recommending that she become a portrait painter. Her portraits do keep turning up in different institutions with one making its way to Austria. She furthered her art studies under New York Portrait Artist, John Howard Sanden of the New York Portrait Institute; national renowned artist James Goodwin Scott; watercolorist Nita Engle; and Pastelis’ Albert Handel.

Helen’s artworks are recognized in the publications: “American Artist of Renown” Wilson Pub. Co, 1980-81 and “Artists of Illinois”, Publication of “Artist of America” Inc. 1995. Through the years of entering competitive art shows she won many awards. Helen was included in the Marquis Who’s Who of American Women 2000 and Marquis Who’s Who in America 54th Edition 2000. In 2017 she was awarded a Marquis Life Time Achievement award for her many years of service.

One of Helen’s great joys was attending her Father’s Family Reunion with her daughter Cindy in Totnes England in 2000. She lived a long and happy life.

Services will be held at 3 pm on Monday, November 2, 2026 at the Table Grove Community Church in Table Grove, IL. Pastor Tim Lindsay will be officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Harris Cemetery in Table Grove. Memorials in Helen’s memory may be made to the Table Grove Community Church or the Table Grove Fire and Rescue Department.