Randy Allen Weaver

Randy A. Weaver, 63, of Canton, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at The Loft in Canton.

He was born April 1, 1962, in Havana, the son of Gordon and Mary (Eveland) Weaver. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Joshua Weaver.

Randy married Tammy Hamilton on October 20, 2007, in Canton. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Micah (Chelsea) Weaver, Travis (Amy) Weaver, Samantha (Tom) Anderson, and Matt (Megan) Weaver; one brother, Eric Weaver; and seven grandchildren, Carson, Karley, Elizabeth, Caleb, Andrew, Bobbie Lee, and Delaney.

Randy lived a life of service, creativity, and connection. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army with the 1st Cavalry Division, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, including a one-year assignment in Korea. He later served his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Copperas Creek Fire Department and the Canton Fire Department. Randy also worked as a correctional officer at the Lincoln and Spoon River correctional facilities.

Among his many careers, Randy’s favorite was his time as an on-air radio personality for WBYS, where his voice and personality became familiar to many.

Randy had a deep love for the arts and entertainment. He acted in and directed numerous productions at the Fulton County Playhouse and greatly enjoyed singing and entertaining others. He was also a member of the 1st Illinois 10th Cavalry (Reactivated) and took great pride in Civil War reenactment. One of his proudest moments was participating in the reenactment of President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral.

In his leisure time, Randy was an avid NASCAR fan and attended many races, a passion he thoroughly enjoyed. He was also a member of the First Christian Church.

Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements. A funeral service will be held Monday, January 5, 2026, at the First Christian Church in Canton at 11 am, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton.

Memorials may be made to the Fulton County Playhouse or the First Christian Church. Online condolences may be shared at oakshinesfuneralhome.com.

Ronda S. Shumaker

Canton- Ronda S. Shumaker, 79, of Canton and formerly of Lewistown passed away at 12:54 PM Sunday December 28, 2025 at the Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba.

She was born December 28, 1946 at Canton the daughter of Glen M. and Vera Rae (Hummel) Bloyd. She was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are her siblings, Sara Short, and Aaron Bloyd.

Ronda worked at the Fulton County Courthouse, and various stores in Fulton County. She was a member of the Bryant Christian Church. Ronda loved dogs.

Cremation will be accorded. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday January 5th, 2026 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bryant Christian Church, or the Illinois Street Christian Church in Lewistown. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com.

Dean Thomas Austin

Dean Thomas Austin, born May 3, 1936, died Thursday, December 25, 2025 at 7:15 a.m.

He was born on May 3, 1936, in Macon County Illinois, to Thomas and Verna (Miller) Austin. They preceded him in death as well as four sisters, and three brothers.

Dean is survived by his wife Linda (Lynge) Austin. They shared 58 years of marriage.

Also surviving are two daughters, Sarah (Paul) Harris, and Deborah (Michael) Geraci, two granddaughters, Isabella Geraci, and Michaela Geraci, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dean was a member of Shield’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Canton Morning Star Lodge #734 A.F. & A.M., Fisherman’s Club and the United Methodist Church Brotherhood. Dean served for 35 years as a Minister at various local Methodist Churches. He loved spending time with his family and will be remembered as being a friend to all.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. A Masonic service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow. Reverend Marty Ellison will conduct the funeral service.

Burial will immediately follow the services on Monday at Shield’s Chapel Cemetery in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Preacher’s Aid Society, (P.O. Box 19207 Springfield), IL, 62794-9207, or www.pasbf.org, or to Shield’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

Betty Jo Davis

Betty Jo Davis, 90, of Dahinda, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at her home.

Betty was born April 16, 1935, in Galesburg, IL, to Roscoe and Grace (Griggs) Mitchell.

Betty married Sidney Davis on January 1, 1984, in Las Vegas, NV. He survives.

Betty is also survived by five children, Debbie Weedman of Henderson, NV, Steven “Dan” Eiker of Knoxville, IL, Rodney (Trisa) Eiker of Gilson, IL, Mark (Jill) Davis of Knoxville, IL, and Lisa (Andy) Franey of Knoxville, IL; one brother, Bobby (Carol) Mitchell; two grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Bob Eiker; one brother, Lesley Mitchell; and one sister, Donna Nordgren.

Betty enjoyed roller skating and bowling, but most of all, taking care of her family.

To leave online condolences, please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

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

John Martin

John Martin, 61, of Farmington, passed away at 2:36 AM on Thursday, December 25, 2025 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. He was born on September 26, 1964 in Peoria, a son of Terrence Raymond and Darlene Marie (Siepel) Martin. They preceded him in death.

Also, preceding John in death was a sister, Patricia Briggs.

Surviving is his sisters, Mary (Kenneth) Swearingen; Barbara (Joe) Rabenau; Janice (Scott) Liescheidt, and brother Jim Martin.

John was a dedicated employee for Lozier Oil Company in Farmington.

Per John’s wishes, there will be no services, cremation rites will be accorded through Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington. Private family burial of ashes will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Farmington at a later date. Memorials can be made to the Farmington Rescue Squad 1100. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

James B. Howard

James B. Howard, 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Elmwood, Illinois, December 23, 2025.

James was born April 27, 1939, to Ora and Hattie (Prather) Howard in Avon, Illinois. He married Judith Kuehn on August 22, 1964, in Canton, Illinois, and she survives.

He is also survived by his three children: Tim (Melissa Bundy) Howard of Avon, Brian (Julie) Howard of Williamsfield, and Daniel (Tiffany) Howard of Meridian, Idaho; one sister, Patsy Fox of Sacramento, California; eight grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and fourteen brothers and sisters.

James attended Avon schools and spent more than 50 years working as a carpenter. He was employed by Noah Herman Sons Builders in Peoria for 35 years, retiring in 2000. In retirement, James continued to share his skills and time by volunteering as a train engineer and carpenter at Wildlife Prairie Park.

In his free time, James enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and traveling. He especially loved spending time in the western states, going on cruises, and traveling to Europe and Japan.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Avon Cemetery.

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

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

Eric Hankins

Eric Hankins, 35, of Canton, passed away, at 4:48 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his home in Canton, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Peoria, on September 17, 1990, to Linda (Carrier) and David Hankins.

He is survived by his mother and father, Linda and David of Canton, one daughter, Alizabeth Hankins of Canton, two brothers, David (Jessica) Carrier of Canton, Arthur (Kara) Hankins of Canton, two sisters, Melinda (Clinton) Grubb of Farmington, and Tabatha (Jesus) Perez of Texas, and eleven nieces and nephews.

Eric previously worked at Sc2 in Bartonville. He enjoyed cooking, making Tik Toks about life, spending time with his family, and hanging out, playing games with his nieces and nephews.

Cremation rites will be accorded, and a celebration of life will be held at the AFSCME Local 3585 Union Hall at 1022 West Locust Street Canton, IL 61520, on Sunday, December 28, 2025 starting at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the In Memory of Eric Hankins go fund me account.