Vera Wright

Vera Wright, 87, of Canton, passed away on December 16, 2025 at her residence. She was born on February 8, 1938 in Fulton County to Louis and Louise (Fagan) Kuder. She married Ted Wright on March 26, 1960 in Palmyra, MO. He preceded her in death on July 31, 2002. Also preceding her in death were her parents and four sisters; Mary Ruey, Patricia Hanley, Kathy Mahr and Virginia Timmons.

Surviving are four children; Patrick (Pam) Wright of Ohio, Kevin (Laurie) Wright of Canton, Kelly (Steve) Downs of Elmwood and Erin (Craig) Allen of Canton, eight grandchildren; Trey (Kirstin) Downs, Cody Wright, Mallory (Ian) Foster, Seth (Abby) Wright, Taylor Wright, Jason Downs, Cloey Allen, Reese Allen and five great-grandchildren; Owen Downs, Ellie Downs, Charlotte Foster, Ruby Foster and Teddy Foster

Vera was of the Catholic faith.

Cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton and burial of ashes will take place in White Chapel Memory Gardens at a later date. To leave online condolences, please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com.

Stephen L. Chasteen

Stephen L. Chasteen, 56, of East Galesburg, IL, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Stephen was born February 21, 1969, in Peoria, to Richard and Sharon (Nelson) Chasteen. Stephen married Wendy Bowen on February 15, 2001, in Galesburg, IL. She survives.

Stephen is also survived by two children, Brycesen (Carissa Bucio) Chasteen of Orange, CA, and Brennan (Macy Rosenberry) Chasteen of Galesburg; two grandchildren, Kehlani Chasteen and Malayah Rosenberry; his special niece, Jillian Eaton of Houston, TX; and his best friend, Chase English.

Stephen is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Shawn Saylor; and one sister, Stacy Chasteen.

Stephen served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He was a member of the Central Illinois Vulcan Riders 1-39. Stephen was also an avid fisherman, enjoyed reading and creating poetry, watching stock-car racing, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. He most recently attended South Park United Methodist Church in Canton, IL.

Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services at this time.

Memorials may be made to the Gift of Hope.

To leave online condolences, please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com.

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

Marilyn Louise Curless

Marilyn Louise Curless, 74, of Jacksonville, formerly of Havana, passed away at 4:30 a.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025 at her home. She was born on January 23, 1951 in Havana to Oliver and Judith (Cooper) Matthews. She married Donal Dean Curless on April 15, 1972 in Havana, and he preceded her in death on August 23, 2016.

Marilyn is survived by her sons, Ryan (Anne) Curless of Chatham, Matthew Curless of Jacksonville, and Nicholas (Ronny) Curless of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Liam and Finnegan Curless, Erin Curless, and Jera and Theo Waters; and siblings, Linda Green of East Peoria and Bob (Laura) Matthews of Brighton, Michigan. She was preceded her husband; parents; and sisters, Betty Matthews and Barbara McBride.
Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, and proud grandmother who found great joy in her family, especially time spent with her grandchildren. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for more than 50 years. Marilyn worked for AT&T for over 30 years before retiring. An avid reader, she was deeply devoted to her church and family and was always happiest when her grandchildren were close by.
Funeral services will be on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana, with a visitation prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Rev. Jay Zaremba will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana.
Memorial donations may be made in Marilyn’s name to the First Baptist Church. Online condolences can be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements

Edward “Ray” Thum

Edward “Ray” Thum, 63, of Smithfield, passed away on December 13, 2025 at his residence. He was born on January 31, 1962 in Canton to Charles Henry “Hank” and Lois Fidler (Hess) Thum. He married Gretchen Schaller on August 8, 2008 in Smithfield. She survives along with five children; Kalyn Thum and Caleb Thum both of Smithfield, Barbara Gandy of Denver, CO, Brandon Thum of Glasford and Trisha Thum of Morton, three brothers; Chuck Thum of Greenfield, TN, Joe (Holly) Thum of Smithfield and Aaron (Veanna) Thum of Canton, one sister Penny (Dave) Grady of Lee Summit, MO, five grandchildren; Emma Thum, Brooke Thum, David Humphrey, Felix Humphrey and Charlie Humphrey and lots of nieces and nephews.

Preceding Ray in death were his parents, Hank Thum, Lois Hess and Al Hess.

Ray worked as a millwright for Caterpillar for 31 years. He was a member of local Union 974 and the First Baptist Church in Canton where he served as an ordained deacon. He was also on the Board of Ministries and served with the Youth Ministries. Ray loved God, family, hunting and fishing. He was a woodcarver mainly carving water fowl. He played football in high school and had a scholarship to play football at Eureka College. He was proud to be a Navy veteran serving from 1981-1985.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Thursday, December 18 at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. There will be a gathering with pie being served at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Canton at 1 pm with a service following at 1:30 pm. Burial will follow at Baughman Cemetery in Smithfield. Memorials can be made to the church. To view Ray’s DVD or to make online condolences, please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com.

Bonnie S. White

Bonnie S. White, 84, of Astoria, IL, passed away at 6:42 am at her daughter Angie’s home. She was born on August 11, 1941 in Astoria, the daughter of Max and Frances (Jones) Welker. Bonnie married Norman White on July 5, 1958 in Astoria. Norman preceded Bonnie in death on April 14, 2002.

She is survived by her three children; Jacki (and Cameron) Renaud of Newburgh, IN, Ryan (and Tina) White of Astoria, IL, and Angie (and Neal) Briney of Astoria, six grandsons, several great-granddaughters, great-grandsons, step-great-granddaughters and step-great-grandsons, two sisters; Phyllis (and Neil) Aten of Creve Coeur, IL and Kathy (and the late Jim) Hickle of Camdenton, MO, and one brother; Kerry (and Sally) Welker of Shiloh, IL.

Bonnie worked at K.K. Stevens Publishing Company and was Managing Editor of the Astoria South Fulton Argus for several years. She also owned and operated The Paperback Exchange and Yarn Shop in Astoria.

She was a member of the Astoria Area Chamber of Commerce and Astoria Methodist Church. She served two terms as the treasurer for the Astoria Park District and two years on the Astoria Town Board.

She was also a National Gymnastic Judge at the Collegiate and Junior Olympic Level for several years.

Bonnie enjoyed knitting and teaching others to knit. She carried on the tradition of Christmas Stockings. She enjoyed and worked hard gathering her family history and genealogy, researching and traveling to different cemeteries for information. She also enjoyed taking trips and traveling with her siblings.

Cremation rites have been accorded. No services or visitation have been planned. Memorials may be made to the Astoria Fire and Rescue Department.

Harlan E. Hines

Harlan Eugene Hines, 82, of Havana passed away at 12:30 PM Sunday December 14, 2025 at Mason District Hospital in Havana.

He was born September 20, 1943 at Bingham, Utah the son of Harlan G. and Wilma Geraldine (Keime) Hines. He married Mary Brasmer in 2002 at Lewistown. She died November 25, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are four children, Annette Harrah of Lewistown, Vicky Stone of St. David, Brian Hines of Eureka, and Jovanna Cervantes of Chicago.

Eugene was a heavy equipment operator and had worked as a butcher at the former Lewistown Locker. He enjoyed hunting.

Cremation will be accorded. There will be no services. Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com.

Kenneth E. Shoemaker

Kenneth E. Shoemaker, 71, of Havana, passed away at Mason District Hospital, in Havana, at 5:34 p.m., on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He was born November 4. 1954, in Beardstown, Illinois, to Virgil and Kathleen (Parsley) Shoemaker.

Mr. Shoemaker is survived by two children: Kendra Horvath, of Sullivan, Illinois, and Kendal Shoemaker, of Canton, Illinois; three sisters: Lily (Mike) Mibbs, of Kilbourne, Ruth (Mike) Richardson, of Havana, and Diana (Ed) Lind, of Arkansas; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Shoemaker came to know the Lord several years ago. He farmed at Norris Farms, near Havana, and later worked at Bonnet’s Turkey Hatchery.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a graveside services will be held at Mt. Zion Cemetery, near Bath, Illinois, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.

Hurley Funeral Home, in Havana, is in charge of arrangements.