Mary E. Lowe

Mary E. Lowe, 65, of Canton, passed away, Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Sunset Manor in Canton.

She was born in Galesburg on June 12, 1960, to Donald and Shirley (Despain) Cook. They preceded her in death.

Mary is survived by three children, Sara (Scott) Wirebaugh of Canton, Thomas (Kimberly) Lowe of Bushnell, and Andrew Lowe of Macomb, sister Barbara (Patrick) Corry of Belvidere, eleven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Mary enjoyed baking, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to music. Most of all Mary enjoyed spending time with her family and taking care of her grandchildren.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

John “David” Stell

John “David” Stell Jr., 63, of Lewistown, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at his residence.

He was born on July 9, 1962, in Canton, the son of John and Dixie “Pat” (Sawyer) Stell. They preceded him in death.

David married Debbie Stutes on July 24, 1982, in Lewistown. She survives.

Also surviving are his children, Karissa (Russell Herche) Stell of Ipava and Nathaniel (Jessie Lowder) Stell of Lewistown; two grandchildren, Izadora Herche and Braxtyn Lowder; two sisters, Nancy (Lee) Hackett of Bryant and Brenda Stell of St. David; and his beloved dog, Groot.

David was currently employed at Central Elementary School in Lewistown District #97, where he loved the students and deeply valued his coworkers. He proudly served as President of the Board for the Lewistown Park District, was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lewistown, and served on the City of Lewistown Zoning Board.

An avid outdoorsman, David enjoyed hunting and fishing. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a cherished friend to many.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. A celebration of David’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewistown Park District.

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

Robert D. Adkins

Robert D. Adkins, 92, 0f Astoria, IL, passed away at 12:08 am on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at The Elms in Macomb, IL. He was born on March 22, 1933, the son of Jody Carroll and Galdys (Miller) Adkins Sr. Robert married Margie Mae Altig on March 26, 1955 in Indiana. He later married Janet Hibbert on December 30, 1987. She survives.

He is also survived by four children; Robbie (and Monica) Adkins of Astoria, Craig (and Laura) Adkins of Kokomo, IN, Brian (and Stephanie) Adkins of Norman, OK and JoLynn Adkins of Summum, IL, 10 grandchildren, 13, great-grandchildren, four brothers; Jody Adkins of Astoria, Ray Adkins of Astoria, Danny Adkins of Havana and Leroy Adkins of Havana, five sisters; Roberta Lowe of Rushville, Rosemary John of Macomb, Joyce Ishmael of Oakford, Pelles Kelley of Petersburg and Christy Yow of Chatham, IL.

He is preceded in death by two daughters; Jennifer Houston and Lynn Bojarzin, two brothers; Gary Adkins and Arlie Adkins, and one sister; Judy Lynn.

Robert first worked at an area saw mill when he was in high school. He would then enlist in the United States Army, serving from 1950 to 1953. He was a Korean War Veteran. After his time in the army, he would go on to work for Boeing in Seattle, WA, Sprinkmann Insulation in Springfield, IL, International Harvester in Canton, IL, Peabody Mining Co. in Pleasant View, IL, owned and operated Adkins Welding in Pleasant View, Norris Farms in Havana, IL, Brazier Mine Construction, owned and operated Point Of Rock Café in Point Of Rock, WY, Elco Gold Mine in Elco, NV, L & N Industries in Rushville, IL and the Woodland Township.

Robert was baptized as a member of the Latter Day Saints. He was member of the Masonic Lodge. In his younger years, Robert enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a tremendous athlete in high school, excelling in both track and baseball. Later in life, he enjoyed playing lottery tickets, watching Game Show Network and Poker on TV, and watching Chicago Cubs games as an avid Cubs fan. He also enjoyed reading book after book, mainly westerns and reading several hundreds of books a year. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. A visitation will take place from 10 am to 12 noon on Saturday before the service. Memorials may be made to the Astoria Fire and Rescue Department.

Janice A. Bishop

Lewistown- Janice A. Bishop, 73, of Lewistown passed away at 6:16 PM Friday January 9, 2026 at Carle Health Methodist in Peoria surrounded by her family.

She was born October 1, 1952 at Canton the daughter of Harry “Bud” and Virginia Jean (Krider) Ellsworth Jr. She married Richard L. Bishop on January 29, 1971 at Bryant and they were married 51 years. He died January 15, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are one daughter, Nichole (Corey Huffman) Bishop of Lewistown, two grandchildren, Adrianna Roberts, and Blake Stufflebeam both of Lewistown, one great grandson Braxton Roberts, of Lewistown, and one sister Dianna Beaird also of Lewistown.

Janice was a food service supervisor for over 20 years for the Cuba School District retiring in 2015. She enjoyed going to auctions with her husband and collecting porcelain dolls and glassware. She also enjoyed, diet Pepsi, and spending time with her family especially her great grandson Braxton.

Cremation will be accorded. A memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 PM Thursday January 15th at the Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown. The family will plan a celebration of life at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewistown Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com

Weldon D. Stewart, Sr.

Weldon D. Stewart, Sr., 85, of Havana, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9:11 a.m. He was born on September 30, 1940 in Merced County, California to Ottis and Regina (Renner) Stewart. He married Judy Sommers in 1987 and she preceded him in death in 2020.

Weldon is survived by his children, Timmothy Stewart of Indiana, Donna Stewart of California, and Weldon (Nancy) Stewart of Topeka, Illinois; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Joe Stewart of Las Vegas and Edward Stewart of California. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy Stewart; son, Edward Stewart; and sister, Barbara.
Weldon worked as a grocery store manager for many years. He built hot rods and cars, a hobby he had for over 50 years.
Cremation rites have been accorded and no services are planned at this time.
Online condolences can be left for Weldon’s family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

Gwendolyn Sue Palmer

Gwendolyn Sue Palmer, age 78, of Astoria, Illinois passed away on January 6, 2026, in Summum, Illinois surrounded by family and friends. She was born on July 26, 1947 in Beardstown, Illinois to Bobby Lee Lael and Beulah (Sullins) Lael. Sue married Allen Ray Palmer on April 20, 1965 in Beardstown, Illinois.

After graduating from Beardstown High School in 1965, Sue began working for her Aunt Gwennie Boyd in Beardstown, Illinois at Boyd Nursing Home and the Campus Inn. Shortly following, she spent 11 years working for her brother-in-law, Cliff Parry, at Cliff’s Auto Parts in Astoria, Illinois. Sue also worked at Norris Farms in the tomato field in Lewistown, Illinois as well as Green Bay Foods at the Pickle Plant in Havana, Illinois. In her later years, she was employed at Hardee’s in Havana, Illinois where she served 15 years.

Sue enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, crocheting, playing with her grandkids and great-grandkids, basketball with her fur baby, Patches, and playing cards. Specifically, spider solitaire. In the summer of 2012 and the winter of 2024, Sue got to visit England and Scotland, something she never dreamed of doing, but had the time of her life.

She is survived by her children and grandchildren; Allen “Ray” Palmer, Jr.; Stacey (Von) Geisendorfer, parents of Audrie Weir and Vance (Abigail) Geisendorfer; Matthew “Matt” Palmer, father of Madison Palmer, Brianna Gleason and Danielle Thacker, Angela Smith, mother of Jessica (Courtney) Jackson and Kourtnie Smith; Leslie Palmer, father to Dylan (Tiffany) Kinkead and Nina Palmer; and her nineteen great-grandchildren; Kallen, Betty, Oaklei, Isabelle, Oliver, Michael, Caleb, Harper, Bentley, Zoie, Ambriel, Brynleigh, Kaiden, Knightly, Alaina, Adalynn, Kaleb, Emmaline and Isabella. Two brother, Thomas “Tom” (Debbie) Lael of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Keith (Carl) Lael of Springfield, Illinois, as well as town very special ladies to the family, Angie Moore and Win Palmer along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Charles “Chuck” (surviving wife, Sally) Lael, Mike (Kathy) Lael and daughter-in-law, Vivian “Viv” Palmer.

Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Dick Meehan will be officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be in the Astoria Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sue Palmer Memorial Fund.

Evelyn J. Northrup

Evelyn J. Northrup, 85, of Elmwood, IL, passed away at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, January 5, 2026, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Evelyn was born June 1, 1940, to Ira and Sarah (Malcom) King in Vernon County, Missouri. Evelyn married Ronald Northrup on July 17, 1987, in Peoria. He preceded her in death on May 11, 2019.

Surviving are two children, Kathy Luedtke of Peoria, and Pam (Alan) Dennis of Galva; two step-children, James (Bonnie) Northrup and Michael (Barbara) Northrup; one sister, Martha Scott, eleven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Evelyn is also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gary Hogue; two brothers; and four sisters.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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

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