Debra Deba Lowry

Debra “Deba” Lowry, 71 of Canton, IL passed away at 3:52 AM on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Graham Hospital Emergency Room in Canton, IL. She was born on May 18, 1955 in Bushnell, IL. to Roland and Alta (Martindale) Derry. She married John Lowry on March 9, 1998 in Canton, IL. He survives.

She is also survived by her son, Curtis (Rusty) Harn of Bryant, IL; two grandchildren, Tucker Harn, and Blake (Maddie) Harn; and one brother, John Derry of Lewistown, IL.

She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Debra worked as a cook at Graham Hospital, and was of the Baptist Faith.

Cremation rites have been entrusted to Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Celebration of Life will be held at 1 PM on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Lowry residence. Family and Friends are welcome. Memorials may be made to the Fulton County Humane Society. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Donald M. Lock

Donald M. Lock, 102, of rural Farmington, IL, died peacefully at home on August 26, 2026, surrounded by family. He was born June 1, 1924, near Fiatt, IL to John Mills Lock and Loretta Wright Lock.

Donald married Doris Litwiller on September 11, 1948. She preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by son Dale (Rebecca), Petersburg, IL; Deon (the late Thomas) Maas, who shared his home; and foreign exchange son, Renato Resende of Brazil. Donald is also survived by four grandchildren; Nathanael, Glen Burnie, MD; Elizabeth (Caleb) Klauzer, Ashland, IL; Adam (Jenni) Maas, Sherman, IL; Jacob Maas (Dr. Bonnibelle Leeds), Seattle, WA; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by grandson Dr. Andrew Lock (Dr. Evgeniya H. Lock), Annandale, VA; brothers Robert and Glen; and sister Wrighta McComb.

Donald farmed until the age of 83 and was a member of the Fulton County Farm Bureau. He served in the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army in WWII as an instrument repairman. He entered Tokyo Harbor on the day General MacArthur signed the peace treaty with Japan. A Technical Sergeant, he served as head of a repair division in Tokyo, as part of the Occupation Force. In this capacity, he had the honor of setting up General MacArthur’s grandfather clock at the family residence in the American Embassy. Donald then worked for the Illinois National Guard at Camp Ellis for several years before returning to farming full-time.

Donald was a member of the Providence Chapel United Methodist Church and was a trustee for the Providence Chapel Coal Creek Cemetery for sixty years.

Cremations rites have been accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Providence Chapel Coal Creek Cemetery, c/o Bill Slack, 18647 E Gilchrist Rd, Farmington, IL 61531. To leave an online you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Dianne J. Burgess

Dianne J. Burgess, 80, of Yates City, IL, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing of Canton.

Dianne was born November 15, 1945, in Canton, IL, to Wayne Norman Bird and France Fern Dalton.

Dianne married Jack Lee Burgess on June 6, 1964, in Yates City, IL. He preceded her in death in 2014.

Dianne is survived by Tammie (the late Dan) McCoy; two grandsons, Austyn (Rachel) Siegel and Kolton (Hannah) Siegel; two great-grandchildren, Korbin Siegel and Karsyn Siegel; and two grand-dogs, Louis and Merlyn.

Dianne is also preceded in death by her parents; and one daughter, Shelley (Rodney) Siegel.

Throughout her life, she was a homemaker and owned and operated Burgess Brothers Trucking Company in Yates City, IL, alongside her husband.

Dianne enjoyed being a part of the local community events. She also loved all kinds of crafts and making floral arrangements.

Dianne would never turn down an adventure. She loved to go on the Peoria Charter bus trips and taking weekend outings with friends and family.

Dianne was an active member of the Douglas United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. the day before on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Douglas United Methodist Church and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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

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

Joseph Lowder

Joseph RD Lowder, 51, of Canton, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Decatur, Illinois. He was born January 1, 1975, in Canton. Joe was taken far too soon. To know Joe was to love him. He was truly one of a kind—a character who could make just about anyone laugh with his crazy antics, silly outfits, off-the-wall behavior, horrible dad jokes, and, of course, his perfectly timed inappropriate comments. Joe was unapologetically Joe. He had a way of shifting the mood and lighting up a room simply by being there. Joe was a devoted father and husband and, later in life, an adoring grandfather. He was rarely without his sidekick, Braxtyn, by his side. Joe was also the kind of person who was always just a phone call away, ready to lend a hand to family, friends, or his community. Helping others was simply part of who he was. Joe married his beloved wife, Tricia Barr, on March 8, 2001, in Princeton, Illinois. Tricia preceded him in death on December 10, 2021. Joe is survived by his two cherished daughters, Jessica Lowder of Canton and Heidi Jo (Samuel Sondgeroth) Lowder of Mendota; and his beloved grandson, Braxtyn Lowder. He is also survived by his mother, Patricia (Mike) Rynd of Decatur; sister, Jenifer (Todd) Steder of Dixon; brother, Jamie Johnson of Nashville, TN; maternal grandmother, Hilda (the late Lester) Murphy Sr. of Canton, who helped raise him; Tricia’s grandparents, Ann (the late Robert) Cromwell; mother-in-law, Pam (Kevin) Rossler of Malden; father-in-law, Terry Barr of Mendota; brother-in-law, Dale (Jess Hess) Barr of Romeoville; and sister-in-law, Rachel (Cam) Wernentin of Davenport, Iowa. Joe had a unique and beautiful family dynamic, with family bonds that went far beyond traditional titles. He was blessed with uncles who were like brothers, Lester Murphy Jr. and Paul Cameron; an aunt who was like a sister, Kathleen Murphy; an aunt and uncle who were like another mom and dad, Brenda (the late Robert) Smith; cousins who were like sisters, Amy Smith, Kristina Cooper, and Samantha Meschke; and a special cousin, Ashley Edwards. Joe also leaves behind aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his father, Myrl (Peggy) Johnson; maternal grandparents, Robert (Vivian) Lowder; uncle, Bobby (Mary Jo) Lowder; aunt, Mary Murphy; and close friends, Ronnie Widger and Kenny Phipps. Joe loved his daughters more than anything, even if he would jokingly say they were the reason he had gray hairs by the time he was 30. But when you saw Joe, you usually saw Braxtyn not too far behind. Joe and Braxtyn were two peas in a pod. They could often be found fishing, hanging out at the fire station, or stopping at the gas station for their famous “Grandpa Sodas.” They were each other’s world and best friends, sharing a bond and love that will never be broken. Joe was a favorite at the local gas station, where he became known as “Fire Fighter Joe,” thanks in part to his daily uniform of a fire department T-shirt and a lime-green pager on his hip. Given the opportunity, he proudly dubbed himself “Department A-Hole”—the first opportunity he got. Joe had a knack for making memories wherever he went. He stole crowns from fair queens because, in his mind, he was clearly a pretty princess. He loved fishing and approached it as though he were the next Bassmaster, often sporting his signature cutoff shirt and sandals. He washed the fire trucks with such dedication that it could practically have been a full-time job at “Joe’s WeeWoo Car Wash.” He loved turkey shoots and had an uncanny ability to win raffles whenever given the chance, thanks to his seemingly ridiculous luck. Joe was a former Bureau County Fair Board member in Princeton, Illinois, where he dedicated 20 years to hard work, service, and, naturally, plenty of laughs. He also previously served as president of the Green River Saddle Club in Amboy, IL, giving several years to the club and creating countless memories filled with good times and summer fun. Joe also enjoyed poker and played in the Smoke’n Aces Poker League. His skill, wit, and competitive spirit earned him multiple top-three finishes and secured him a place in the 2026 Tournament of Champions in October 2026, where he had hoped to compete for a $10,000 seat entry to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Buckheart Fire Protection District before moving to the Copperas Creek Fire Department. There, he started as a firefighter and worked his way up to Lieutenant and eventually Assistant Fire Chief. Joe loved his brothers and sisters in red, many of whom became family to him over the years. The fire service was more than a job or volunteer position—it was a community he was proud to be part of. Joe worked for many years at ADM in Bushnell before recently transferring to ADM in Decatur. Joe leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, friendships, service, and memories that will be shared for generations. He had a way of making himself unforgettable, whether you wanted him to or not. His laughter, his humor, his generosity, his stubbornness, his crazy antics, and his enormous heart will be deeply missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known him. Joe was unapologetically himself until the very end—and the world will be a little quieter without him in it. Cremation rites have been accorded per his wishes and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Copperas Creek Fire Department. In lieu of flowers please send cards to the funeral home. To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Mary J. Smith

Mary Joyce Smith, 85, of Havana, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born on November 5, 1940 to Paul and Mary Ann (Pherigo) Kuhlman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Shirley Ann Gilpin, Connie Smith, two brothers, David Kuhlman and James Kuhlman who died as an infant. Also preceding her in death are three sons, Rudie White Jr, Tracey White and Darren White.

Surviving her are two sons, Sean (Sharon) White of Tuscaloosa, AL, Preston White of Havana, two daughters, Penny Berg of Havana, Cathy Goforth of Havana, nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Mary loved working in her yard, having yard sales and going thrifting and traveling. She was a longtime member of the Church of Christ in Havana. She loved her church and helping with the dinners. Most of all she loved spending time with her family.

Cremation rites have been accorded per her wishes through the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date at her church.

Memorials may be made to Church of Christ in Havana.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Shane L. Copher

Shane L. Copher, 35, of Brimfield, passed away at 2:45 a.m., on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Carle Methodist Hospital in Peoria, IL, after a courageous nine-month battle with cancer.

Shane was born August 1, 1991, in Gibson City, IL, to Nancee (Persons) Filley.

Shane married the love of his life, Molly Gass, on November 25, 2025, in Peoria, IL. She survives.

Shane is also survived by his mother; his two children, Eli Gunter and Tucker Gunter; his mamaw, Linda Persons; his uncle, Chanc (Josie) Persons; and his two cousins, Raechel and Clay.

Shane is preceded in death by his grandfather, Herb, and his uncle, Monte.

Shane went to MTI where he was a certified HVAC Technician and provided for his family as a proud truck driver. He enjoyed fishing, playing XBOX, and riding motorcycles. His favorite past time was anything involving his wife and his children; he was proud of all of them. He was ever present at soccer games and trap meets. He enjoyed listening to Molly talk science. Shane was also a member of the Brimfield Union Church.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood. A visitation will be held the same day prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Cremation rites will then be accorded.

Memorials may be made to Shane’s children, Eli and Tucker.

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

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

Gloria Wages

Gloria Wages, 84, of Canton, passed away, Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Sunset Manor in Canton.

She was born in Decatur, on January 4, 1942, to Donald and Gladys (Aubert) Mellinger. They preceded her in death.

Gloria is survived by three children, Lee Anne Bork of Canton Ohio, Mike (Shannon) Wages of Canton Illinois, and Jim Wages of St. David Illinois, three grandchildren, Alex Bork of Peoria Illinois, Kyle Bork of Springhill Florida, and Rachel (Andres Jr.) Perez of Canton Ohio, and three great grandchildren, Andres III Perez, Boston Perez and Liza Perez

Gloria worked at the Canton Family YMCA, and lastly at Sunset Manor in Canton. She enjoyed music, dancing, traveling and antiquing and visiting with her friends and family.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. Interment of her ashes will be held at a later date in her home town, at Cerro Gordo Cemetery