Phil Brown

Phil F. Brown, 89, of Maquon, Illinois, died at 9:26 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026 following a prolonged illness. He passed peacefully surrounded by his children.

He was born December 19, 1936, in Banner Township, Illinois, to Estie R. and Veda L. (Weaver) Brown. He married Neva J. Vollmar on May 5, 1957, at the Fairview Reformed Church in Fairview, Illinois.

He is survived by his daughters Kathleen (Sean) O'Donnell-Brown, Kristine (Michael) Carey, Kelly Brown; son Brian (Glorimar) Brown; grandchildren Kiel (Tammy DeCounter) Johnson, Zanny (Tom Reeder) O'Donnell, Malcolm (Sarah Snyder) O'Donnell, Elisabeth Carey, Joel (Sarah Lynch) Carey, Stephen Carey, Anna (Conor Fallon) Carey, Jonathan Carey, Marissa (Bradley) Marsh, Kennedy Brown, Reynaldo Javier Tosado-Soto; great-grandchildren Bryanna Johnson, Bradley Jr., Calvin, Theodore and William Marsh; brother Earle Brown.

Phil graduated from Valley High School at the age of 16. He worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company as a Computer Systems Analyst for 40 years. He was also a passionate and capable herdsman raising Hampshire sheep and Angus cattle until he was 80. He was very proud of the awards that he won exhibiting his livestock at the local fairs as well as the Illinois State Fair. He loved hunting, fishing and golfing. Phil and Neva enjoyed bowling for many years in leagues at Northgate Lanes in Galesburg, Illinois.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 28th, 2026 from 10-11am, at Oak Hines Funeral Home in Canton, IL. A funeral service will follow the visitation beginning at 11am. Following the service, the burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Maquon Public Library or the Fulton County Fair.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Ira W. Ludlum Jr.

Ira W. Ludlum Jr., 85, of Canton, passed away, Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Graham hospital in Canton.

He was born on February 26, 1941, to Ira W. Ludlum Sr. and Imo (Mytella) Ludlum. They preceded him in death as well as two brothers, Eugene and Dean Ludlum, and two sisters, Zelma Nihiser, and Helen Johnson.

Ira is survived by his wife of 62 years, Connie Joyce (Smith) Ludlum. They were married on September 14, 1963.

Also Surviving are eight children, Edward Ludlum, William “Bill” Ludlum, Annette “Ann” (Curtis) Johnson, Donald Ludlum, Carolyn (Edward) Barker, Melinda Smith, David Ludlum, and Sarah (Albert) Barker. One brother, Allen (the late Cynthia) Ludlum, sister Shirley Brush, four grandchildren, Anthony Ludlum, Cody Clark, Donald (Liz) Ludlum, and Quinn “Gabriel” Barker, and six great grandchildren.

Ira first worked at Dillefields Conoco Gas Station, and later at Orwig’s Autobody for 13 years. Ira and Connie opened Ludlum’s Autobody in 1976, and worked until his retirement in 1990.

Ira is a lifetime member of the Church of the Brethren in Canton, and enjoyed woodworking, and body work on cars even in his retirement. He also enjoyed listening to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games.

A Memory of Life will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Thursday, March 26, 2026 starting at 4:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Church of the Brethren.

Kenneth D. Fuller

Kenneth D. Fuller, 87, of Banner, passed away, Sunday, March 22, 2026, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Banner, on July 15, 1938, to Kenneth Dee, and Helen (DeGroff) Fuller. They preceded him in death as well as two sisters, Sherrill (Samuel) Ruey, and Joan Parker.

Ken is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pat (Taylor) Fuller. They were married on January 23, 1970.

Also surviving are seven children, Robin (Bob Moser) Fuller, Kendall (Lisa) Fuller, Allyson (Chris) Keister, Wendy (Jeff Martin) O’Connor, Andrew (Alice) Fuller, Adam (Bryana) Fuller, and Alex Fuller, son in law Craig O’Connor, sister, Diana (Lloyd) Allen, sixteen grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren.

Ken retired from Caterpillar in 1994 he worked various plants in machine repair in East Peoria. After retirement he spent ten years working various consulting jobs. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he and Pat helped teach Sunday School and Kids Club. Ken was also a Stephen Minister, going to nursing homes and hospital visiting with members of the church. He was also a member of the Glasford masonic Lodge. Ken first served 5 years on the village of Banner board, and later was appointed and elected Mayor of the Village of Banner for 28 years. He was also involved with the Central Illinois Mayor’s association and the Fulton County Mayor’s Association.

Pat and Ken ran the Big Lake Hunting and Fishing Club starting in July of 1975 until 1986.

In his spare time Ken enjoyed mushrooming, duck hunting, dancing, and watching the Chicago Cubs.

Cremation rites will be accorded and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, or to the Humane Society of Fulton County.

Wayne Cross

Wayne Cross, 91, of Trivoli, passed away at 12:26 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria. He was born on February 13, 1935 in Franklin County, Illinois, a son of John and Opal (Shaw) Cross. He married Helen Ailene Irvin on March 28, 1958 in Bonnie, Illinois. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2015.

Also, preceding Wayne in death were his parents, son Roger Cross; brother Robert Cross; sister Mary Morris; one grandchild, Brianna Wood and one great-grandchild, Emalyn Cross.

Surviving are his children, Debra (Mike) Harms of Yates City; Jeff (Sandi) Cross of Peoria; daughter-in-law, Tina Cross; six grandchildren, Kyle (Shana) Harms, Kayla (Rocco) Harms, Jordan (Mitch) Ryan, Trevor (Chloe) Cross, Connor (Alyse) Cross, and Morgan (Tyler) Federwisch; fifteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles (Irene) Cross, Gene (Betsy) Cross, Delbert (Pat) Cross; sister, Ruth Stewart, and his beloved friend, and dance partner, Mariann Forney of Brimfield.

Wayne was a loving husband, father, and friend. He had a great sense of humor, a strong faith, and a never-ending love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He gave generously to his community, and was always there to lend a hand to anyone in need. Whether outdoors hunting, fishing, gardening, or enjoying a game of cards or a puzzle indoors, he found joy in every moment. His memory will forever live on in our hearts.

Wayne worked and retired from Caterpillar, Inc after 42 years of service, retiring in 2000. He was a devoted member of the Douglas United Methodist Church, and member of the Farmington Sportsman Club. He served his country in the United States Army.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25, 2025 at the Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington, where a visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Pastor Kris McMillan will officiate. Burial will follow the services, and take place in Trivoli Cemetery. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Logan-Trivoli Fire Department. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Melvin D. Swearingen

Melvin D. Swearingen, 73, of Lewistown, passed away at 11:55 PM on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at his residence. He was born on January 25, 1953 in Peoria, a son of Marshall and Mabel Mae (Trau) Swearingen. He married Kenna Howerter on September 25, 1976 in Lewistown. She survives.

Also surviving are his sons, Chris (Heather) Swearingen of Lewistown; Chad (Stephanie) Swearingen of Lewistown; five grandchildren, Madison, Lanie, Royal, Chloe, and Sakota; brother, Merle (Edie) Swearingen of Lewistown; sisters, Marcy Goldring (Glenn) Edenburn of Farmington; Marsha (Mark) Giacobazzi of Peoria Heights; a special niece, Taylor, and several other nieces and nephews.

Preceding Melvin in death were his parents, mother & father-in-law, Kenneth Howerter, & Doris Case; sister, Mavis Swearingen, and a niece Michelle Bainter.

He worked and retired on April 1, 2013 from Sheet Metal Union Local #1 in Morton, after several years of service. Melvin was an avid hunter, fisherman, and pool player.

Per Melvin’s wishes, there will be no services, and cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Lon Brooks

Canton-Lon Brooks, 75, of Canton, passed away at 12:31 PM on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Graham Hospital in Canton. He was born on January 21, 1951 in Canton, a son of Paul Hadsall Sr. and Louella Ward.

Preceding Lon in death was his father, Paul Hadsall Sr., mother, Louella Ward, step-father Jack Ward, and three brothers, Victor Brooks, Rick Brooks, and Paul Hadsall Jr.

Surviving are his children, Nesa (Bryan Bailey) Brooks of Canton; Noah (Megan) Brooks of Arnold, Missouri; Dusty Schwartz; seven grandchildren, Gabriel & Asher Brooks, Tristan Burton, Drake Bailey, Carolyn Silva, Nicole Schwartz, and Sasha Bowman, many great-grandchildren, and beloved friend, April Gandy.

Lon began his working career at International Harvester in Canton, He later went on to serve as a manager at Farm King, also in Canton. In addition, Lon faithfully served as an ordained minister, as he was a devoted Christian who loved Jesus. He served his country with the United States Navy.

Per Lon’s wishes, there will be no services, and cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to the Fulton County Humane Society. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Norma Jean Starbuck

Norma Jean Starbuck, age 94 of Macomb, Illinois, formerly of Lewistown, Illinois, passed away at 2:29 pm on Friday, March 20, 2026 at The Lamoine Retirement Living in Macomb, Illinois. She was born on April 28, 1931 in Macomb, a daughter of Lloyd and Florence (Maddox) Lawson. Norma married Daniel Francis Starbuck on December 1, 1950 in Macomb. He preceded her in death on October 5, 2011.

Norma was also preceded in death by her brother Russell Lawson and her sister Virginia Wheeler.

Surviving are her children, Charlene (Jim) Abernathy of Table Grove, Illinois and Mark (Rebecca) Starbuck of Cuba, Illinois, three grandchildren, Kevin (Brandi) Abernathy, Eric (Mollie) Abernathy and Rachel (Dan) Wyatt, and two great-grandchildren, Lily Abernathy and Gavin Abernathy.

Norma and her husband were the owner and operators of Dan’s TV in Lewistown, Illinois for many years. She was a member and officer of the Spoon River Professional Women’s Club and a former member of the Ipava Order of the Eastern Star.

She enjoyed sewing and crocheting and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 27th at 2:00 p.m. in the Ipava Cemetery, Ipava, Illinois. Mike Ulmer will officiate. Memorials in memory of Norma may be made to the Lewistown Rescue Squad. Shawgo Memorial Home has been entrusted with arrangements.