Sonja Goyen

Sonja Churchill Goyen, 82, of Canton, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at

Farmington Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Farmington, Illinois. Sonja was born

in Canton, Illinois, on August 24, 1943, to the late James W. and Maxine P. Ellis. She

treasured the lifelong friendships she made while growing up in Banner. She attended

grade school there and graduated from Canton High School in the class of 1961. She later

was employed by Graham Hospital for many years.

Sonja is survived by her husband, Les Goyen; three sons, Mike Churchill, of Peoria; Ed

Churchill, of Normal; and Brad Churchill, of Sun City, Arizona; a sister, Janet Peterson, of

Corvallis, Montana; a brother, James F. Ellis, of Owensboro, Kentucky; 12

grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Sonja was

preceded in death by a grandson, Cory James Churchill and her first husband, Edward B.

Churchill.

A private family service has been completed. Oaks-Hines Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Theodore "Ted" G. Mottaz

Theodore “Ted” Gene Mottaz, 78, of Elmwood, passed away at 6:15 p.m., on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Farmington Village Nursing Rehabilitation Center.

He was born January 19, 1948, in Peoria, IL, to Orin R. and Roletta (Dikeman) Mottaz.

Ted married Janet Shortness on December 23, 1970, in London Mills. She survives.

Ted is also survived by 2 children, Phillip (Rachel) Mottaz of Sun Valley, CA, and Emily (Joe) Webel of Farmington; seven grandchildren, Anna, Josie, Amelia, Jack, Mary, and Caroline Webel, and Henry Mottaz; two brothers, Steven Mottaz of Yates City and Jeff (Karen) Mottaz of Elmwood; and one sister, Jeannine (Jim) McCullough of Rio, IL.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Sarah Marie.

Ted attended ROVA schools and graduated from Yates City High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University and began his agriculture teaching career at Carthage High School. From there he was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam as a combat infantry radio operator in the Central Highlands region and DaNang. He achieved the rank of sergeant and was awarded several medals, including the Bronze Star.

When he returned, he taught agriculture at ROVA High School. He earned a Master of Science from Southern Illinois University, and then taught at Carl Sandburg College, preparing students for both the workplace and for transferring to a 4-year university. He challenged his students to be leaders by being actively engaged at the local and national levels.

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In Knox County, he was a member and president of the Farm Bureau, Corn Growers, Soil and Water, Farm Bureau Foundation, and FSA Committee. For Illinois, he held leadership positions in the FFA Foundation, Council for Ag Education, Illinois Association for Community College Ag Instructors, Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Nutrient Resource Education Council, and Corn Growers. Nationally, he was board member and chairman for the National Council for Ag Education and national delegate and Action Team Chairperson for the National Corn Growers.

He received the Honorary American Farmer Degree, Knox County Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, Knox County Ag Roundtable Award, Knox County 4-H Alumni Award, and was designated an Illinois Master Farmer.

In his community, he held various offices in the Oneida and Elmwood United Methodist Churches, was mayor of Oneida, and chair of the Elmwood Zoning Board.

He accomplished all this while farming with his father and brother in Knox and Peoria Counties, putting into practice what he taught his students about productivity, innovation, and stewardship.

He spent his life determined to balance agricultural advances with the knowledge that our Earth is finite.

In retirement, he gradually traded his meetings for activities with his children and grandchildren, showing up loyally at all events from musicals to sports and cattle shows.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Elmwood United Methodist Church. A visitation will be held the night before from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the church. Burial with military rites will be held at Lyons Cemetery near London Mills.

Memorials may be made to the Elmwood United Methodist Church and the Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation.

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

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

Ruth Avery

Ruth Avery of Canton, IL died at 8:55 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Red Oak Estates in Canton, IL.

She was born in Mound Township in McDonough County to Burley and Margaret (Price) Parker. They preceded her in death.

She married Don Avery on March 8, 1942 in Palmyra, MO. He also preceded her in death.

Ruth is survived by her children, Garry Avery, of Springfield, MO, and Steve Avery, of Jolliet, IL; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Larry Avery, of Canton, IL, and her three brothers, Harold Parker, of Springfield, IL,  Duane Parker, of Macomb, IL,  and Wendell (Porky) Parker, of IL.

Ruth was a homemaker, and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Macomb, IL. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Karla C. Kane

Karla C. Kane, 66, of Brimfield, passed away at 8:50 p.m., on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

She was born September 17, 1959, in Peoria, IL, to Clyde Holliger and Deanna Fouts.

Karla married Lawrence Kane on March 19, 1988, in Lake Tahoe. He survives.

Karla is also survived by three children, Ben Adams of Morton, IL, Sara Kane of Chillicothe, IL, and Erica (Zach) Kornse of Grand Junction, CO; her mother, Deanna Fouts; her step-father, Ron Fouts Sr; two brothers, Scott Holliger and Kevin Holliger; and one sister, Colette (Steve) Rees.

Karla is preceded in death by her father.

Karla enjoyed trains, fishing, and was a board member of the Peoria County Master Gardener's (loved the butterfly garden in Wildlife Prairie Park). She served as a past director for Camp Big Sky. Karla was also very active at the United Methodist Church in Elmwood. She was an organ donor and loved Door County, WI.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Elmwood United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Big Sky and CWTC in Peoria.

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

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

Norma Jean Clark

Norma Jean Clark, 93, of Havana, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 12:52 p.m. at Arcadia Care in Havana. She was born on August 19, 1932 in Springfield to Theodore and Mabel (Hahn) Kramer.

Mrs. Clark is survived by her son, Doug (Florence) Clark of Forest City; daughter-in-law, Cathy Clark of Manito; grandchildren, Justin and Brandon Clark, Luke and Jake Brooks, and Shawn Guilliams; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Bruce Clark; and sister, Wanda Krause.
Mrs. Clark was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Havana. She taught home economics in Easton and San Jose, worked for the University of Illinois Extension, and later joined Forman Schools in 1969, where she remained until retirement. She also owned a quilt shop in Havana and enjoyed quilting and traveling, visiting Europe and Africa.
Mrs. Clark’s family would like to thank the staff at the Lodge in Manito and Arcadia Care for their excellent care.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Havana, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Ian Heinze will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana.
Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Clark’s name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Lodge at Manito Activity Fund. Online condolences can be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.