Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Sue E. McIntire

Sue McIntire, 79, of Norris, passed away, Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Canton.

She was born in Canton, on May 12, 1947, to Robert and Martha Marie (Seitz) Ruggeri. They preceded her in death.

Sue is survived by six children, Carla Burgess, Marcy (Terry) Rife, Kelly Stanfield, Gary “Jocko” McIntire, Loretta McIntire, and Robert “Bobby” (Samantha) McIntire, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Sue worked at Joe’s Place in Norris for 32 years, she enjoyed working puzzles and care of her flowers, and riding her scooter around town.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton.

Todd Paul Brown

Todd Paul Brown, 54, of Hanna City, passed away at 3:30 PM on Saturday, August 8, 2026. He was born on November 15, 1971 in Peoria, IL, to Paul and Mary Ann (Duley) Brown. He shared a marriage with Cindy Tortat for 26 years. She survives.


He is also survived by two children, Bryce (Kate) Magnuson and Kaylee (Sam) Woolsey; three grandchildren, Dean, Sloane, and Maren Magnuson; two sisters, Tammie Brown and Kathryn (Walt) Symonds; and two grand dogs, Fitz and Ava.


He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jeff Polen.


Todd was an outdoorsman. He loved showing his grandchildren the joy of fishing, even the gross parts like hooking a worm. Todd found peace in a deer stand, waiting for his perfect shot and proudly displaying his prize. If he wasn't outdoors, he had a tool in his hand, working on a car.


Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at the Hanna City Sportsman’s Club in Hanna City, IL. Cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials may be made to the family. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Ronald Ruchotzke

Ronald L. Ruchotzke, 89, of Trivoli, passed away Friday, August 7, 2026 at Manor Court – Liberty Village in Peoria, IL. He was born on May 29, 1937 near Lowden Iowa to Henry Christ and Florence Minnie (Kageman) Ruchotzke.


Ron worked as a hog buyer for Oscar Mayer for 10 years, where he met the love of his life, Charolett Gregory. They were married in Cambridge, IL on January 30, 1960. He later worked for Interstate Producers Livestock Association (IPLA), retiring after 35 years. When he retired, he took part-time positions at Certified Heat Treating in Peoria and Super Pantry in Farmington to stay busy, and he volunteered at Proctor Hospital for several years. He managed The McBarker Boys during their duration of entertaining others with gospel and country music. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bartonville, IL, a former member of the Moose Lodge, and a former member of the Free Masons. Ron proudly served as an Army National Guard veteran.


Ron never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting with others, always with a smile on his face. He loved his family beyond measure and is survived by his son, Gregory (Angela) Ruchotzke of Trivoli, IL; three grandchildren, Joshua Ruchotzke of Palantine, IL, Emily Ruchotzke of Bartonville, IL, and Jacob Ruchotzke of Indianapolis, IN; one great-grandchild, Elias Ruchotzke; and one brother, Larry Ruchotzke of Urbana, Iowa.


Ron’s wife, Charolett, preceded him in death on September 9, 1999. He is also preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dwayne and Gary Ruchotzke, and one sister Delores (Ruchotzke) Werling.


Cremation rites have been entrusted to Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at the Trivoli Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Greg and Angi’s house. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or NubAbility Athletics Foundation. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

Kenneth Dale Pumphery

Kenneth Dale Pumphery, 82, of Canton, IL, passed away at 2:30 AM on Monday, August 10, 2026. He was born on November 9, 1943 in Springfield, IL, to Charles Omar and Mary Margaret (Moyer) Pumphery. He married Gloria Miller. She survives.


He is also survived by 11 children, Charla (Michael) Sizek, Cheri (Bifford) Wyatt, Melody (Bruce) Brewer, Colleen (Kip) McWilliams, Billie Jo (Darren) Hutcheson, David (Barb) Lester, Derrick Lester, Mark (Sheila) Golterman, Ann Eby, Samantha (Jeff) Groves, and Jacquelin Ryan; one sister, Mary (Meb) Thoele; two half-sisters, Janet (Todd) Baker and Theresa (Jim) Lyons; one half-brother, Michael (Monica) Pumphrey; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.


He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Fred and Jerry Pumphery; three sisters, Cheryl Jarrett, Beverly Reside, and Eleanor “Jane’ Yard.


Kenneth worked and retired from Borg Warner in Rockford, IL. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He enjoyed going to garage sales. He was also known for being a jokester.


He was also a Veteran of the United States Air Force.


Graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026 at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL. Rev. Matt Spangler will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Mary Colleen Riley


Mary Colleen Riley, known lovingly as "Sam" or "Pixie" to those closest to her, passed away on August 8, 2026, in Normal, Illinois. She was 76 years old. Born on June 1, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, Colleen lived a life marked by compassion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.

Colleen graduated from college with a degree in business education and went on to build a career defined by care and dedication. She worked as a teacher, shaping young minds with both intellect and warmth, and later served as a director of Hospice, bringing comfort and dignity to individuals and families during their most vulnerable moments. Her professional life was a natural extension of who she was: a woman who valued compassion, intelligence, and social justice, and who lived those values every single day.

Those who knew Colleen will forever remember her infectious laugh and her genuine joy for life. She had a rare ability to light up a room and make others feel seen and welcomed. In her youth, she treasured the time she spent traveling out west with her young son, collecting friends and experiences along the way, adventures that remained among her fondest memories throughout her life.

Above all, Colleen was a loving and devoted mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She is survived by her son, Zac Yates; his wife Hannah (Tambrini) Yates; their children Liberty and Calvin; her daughter, Jenny Riley; her brother, John Thomas Judge; and her sister, Cheryl Mullen. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Robert Judge and Geraldine Ann Judge (Frillman); her brother, Robert Patrick Judge; and her sister, Joan Susan Judge.


Colleen's deep and abiding Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She shared God's light with everyone whose lives she touched, and her kindness, generosity, and grace were living testaments to that faith. Her family takes comfort in knowing she now rests in the embrace of the Lord she served so faithfully.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington Normal in September 2026. A specific date has not yet been set. For additional information, please contact Jenny Riley at jsriley123@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to World Central Kitchen in Colleen's memory.

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

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


Jerry Batterton

Gerald “Jerry” Batterton,83, of Canton, passed away on August 8, 2026 at his residence. He was born on September 7, 1942 in Astoria to Cecil and Evelyn (Watson) Batterton. He married Joyce Fray on February 6, 1965 in Rushville. She survives along with two children; Michael (Jeanie) Batterton of Bloomfield, IA and Michele (Atoya Jones) Batterton of Canton, two brothers; Kenny (Judy) Batterton of Canton and Bob (Joyce) Batterton of Farmington, one sister Mary Lou Isbell of Canton, sister-in-law Roberta Batterton of Astoria and seven grandchildren; Ashten (Noel), Christian, Caleb, William, Levi, Josh and Evie.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Wayne Batterton.

He worked for Labor Local Union 231 of Pekin. Jerry was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canton. He enjoyed doing his wood working in his shop, loved horses and trail rides, was a big sports fan of St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. He also coached for many years and liked doing yard work. Most of all he loved his family.

Cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton.

Mass will be held 11 am, Saturday, August 15, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canton where visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:45 am with a Rosary at 10:45. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Canton. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Hall. Memorials can be made to the St. Mary’s Food Pantry. 


To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Monday, August 10, 2026

Dorothy Ruth Isbell


Dorothy Ruth (McAlister) Isbell, 96, of Hanna City, passed away, Friday, August 7, 2026, at Farmington Village in Farmington.


She was born in Roseville Township, in the Texas neighborhood, on February 21, 1930, to Clarence E. McAlister, and Clara “Bertie” (McMeen). They preceded her in death as well as a daughter Linda Fish, brother Everett, and four sisters, Zella, Pearl, Eleanor, and Edith


Dorothy married Dicky F. Isbell on October 8, 1948, in Hanna City, they shared 52 years of marriage before he passed away in 2000.


Dorothy is survived by five children, Gary (Debra) Isbell, Randy (Denise) Isbell, Brenda (Jim) Lamkin, Robert Isbell, and Jennifer (Dan) Bransfield, sixteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren.


Dorothy worked at Hanna City Grocery and Block & Kuhl in Peoria. She was an active member of Hanna City United Methodist Church, where she shared her love of music by playing piano for Sunday services, as well as weddings and funerals.


Dorothy studied piano at Bradley University and went on to teach countless students how to play throughout the years. Her love of writing and local history was also an important part of her life. She wrote articles, and two weekly columns for the Glasford Gazette, Hanna City News, and Hanna City United Methodist Church News. An accomplished writer and historian, Dorothy received the Studs Terkel Humanities Award in recognition of her accomplishments.


She authored books documenting the history of Hanna City, Pleasant Grove, Smithville, and Eden, preserving the stories and heritage of these communities for generations to come. Beyond her historical writing and journalism, Dorothy enjoyed reading and writing cards, letters, and poetry. She also had a deep interest in genealogy and spent countless hours researching family histories and carefully copying names from local cemeteries to help preserve genealogical records.


Through her music, writing, teaching, and dedication to preserving local history, Dorothy touched the lives of many and left behind a lasting legacy in the communities she loved.


A funeral service will be held at Hanna City United Methodist Church, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. visitation will be held at the church starting at 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will immediately follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Eden. An open house for the family will follow the committal service at the family home.


At Dorothy’s request memorials may be made to the Hanna City United Methodist Church or to Logan Trivoli Fire Department.