Kenneth “Hap” Howard

Kenneth “Hap” Howard of Peoria, formerly of Elmwood, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Hap was born November 23, 1932, to Joseph and Nina (Threw) Howard, in Peoria, IL.

Hap married Jacqueline Ekena on July 4, 1964, at the Lutheran Church in Brimfield. She preceded him in death on November 16, 1974. Hap then married Nancy Wagner on April 25, 1975, at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Elmwood. She preceded him in death on October 7, 2025.

Hap is survived by three children, Debra (Roger) Windish of Elmwood, Rodney (Michelle) Andrews of Elmwood, and Christine (Tony) Johnson of Choctaw, OK; 12 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Hap is preceded in death by his parents and one son, Chad Howard.

Hap graduated Elmwood High School in 1951. He attended Western University for a short time and then was drafted into the Army; Hap was a proud Korean War Veteran. He then helped his dad at Joe’s Standard Station in Elmwood. Hap spent his career working at Midland and Coal Company. After retirement, he moved to Arizona where he enjoyed golfing and worked security for the Colorado Rockies during spring training. Hap lived his last year at Green Leaf Senior Living Memory Care in Peoria, where he was treated with love and dignity.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood. A burial of Hap’s ashes will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to B.Y.E. Ambulance.

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

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

Wilma Duckwiler, 95, of Canton, passed away, Thursday, March 5, 2026 surrounded by her family at her home in Canton.

She was born on July 28, 1930 in Chandlerville, Illinois, to Wilmot and Nancy (Lane) Anderson. They preceded her in death as well as seven siblings.

Wilma is also preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Harlen Duckwiler, as well as four of their children, Alan Duckwiler, Dean Duckwiler, Nancy Clark, and Melvin Duckwiler.

She is survived by one daughter Thelma Webb, Sister Lula Anderson, eight grandchildren, Edward (Jen) Henderson, Michael (Deb) Clark, Bobbie (Greg) Gossett, Michelle Clark, Steven Duckwiler, Danny (Cindy) Duckwiler, Melvin Duckwiler Jr, and Marcus (Rachel) Clark, thirteen great-grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. Wilma retired from Canton Union School District in 1992. She enjoyed crocheting and quilting. She liked to garden, canning as well as bake. She was an avid deer and turkey hunter and was able to go until she was 90 years old. She also enjoyed fishing and mushrooming. Most of all Wilma loved spending time with her family.

A funeral service will be held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.

Burial will immediately follow the services at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Fulton County.

Judy A. Malott

On March 3, 2026 the strongest woman we have ever known earned her wings. Judith Ann (Thompson) Malott of Table Grove, Judy to all of her friends, passed away peacefully at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. Judy was born on October 15, 1941 in Havana, IL to Glenn and Velma (Gould) Thompson.

On April 20, 1963, Judy married Dale R. Malott in Summum, IL. He preceded her in death on January 28, 2013. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Max and Dean Thompson and one brother-in-law; Dean Malott.

Judy is survived by one daughter; Cindy (Rick) Martin of Macomb and one son; Mike Malott of Table Grove, three grandchildren; Ryan (Ashley) Martin of Colchester, Chris (Alayna) Martin of West DesMoines, IA, Dacey (Trenton) Briney of Astoria; three great-grandchildren; Ray, Autumn and Lee, and sister-in-laws; Shirley (Larry) Roberts of Colchester, Verla Malott of Ipava, Patricia Thompson of Havana and Norma Thompson of Lake In The Hills, IL.

She was a 1959 graduate of Astoria High School and began her working career after high school living at the YWCA in Peoria, IL working for Lucas and Sons as a secretary. She later enjoyed working for Speer’s Grocery Store in Table Grove.

Mom’s greatest source of Love and Joy has always been her family. We will never be able to eat a Scotcheroo without thinking of her. Mom and Dad attended many events in the lives of their grandchildren always beaming with pride. They enjoyed golfing, outdoor activities and many trips to Tunica, MS to meet up with family and have the time of their lives. Judy was a proud member of the of the Table Grove Community Church. She found much comfort in her church family.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 2 pm with a visitation prior to service from 11 am to 2pm at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL. Burial to follow at Harris Cemetery in Table Grove. Mike Ulmer, Pastor and next door neighbor, will be officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to West Prairie South Elementary PTO for much needed playground equipment or the Table Grove Fire and Rescue Squad.

Iris Anne Blackwell

Iris Anne Blackwell, 89, of Canton and formerly of Santa Barbara, CA; passed away at the Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba Tuesday March 3, 2026.

She was born August 28, 1936 at rural Ellisville, the daughter of Wylie and Annie Rogers (Berry) Blackwell. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and one sister. Surviving are three nephews, and two nieces.

Anne graduated from Brimfield High School. She then graduated from Cottage Hospital School of Nursing at Galesburg. Anne worked as a registered nurse in California. After moving to California she continued her education by obtaining a bachelor's degree and then a masters degree. She also taught nursing school students. Anne traveled extensively with her sister Lillian all over the world.

Cremation will be accorded. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday March 19, 2026 at Brimfield Township Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com.

Pamela Sanford

Pamela (Hedden) Sanford, 78, of The Villages, FL. Born March 14, 1947 in Canton, IL, passed away December 29, 2025. After graduating from Canton High School in 1965 she attended and graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1969 with a degree in English.

Her goal was to get into publishing in the Chicago area but after moving there she met her future husband "Rick," who had recommended she apply for an accounting position with a CPA firm with whom he was familiar. That then began her 40-year career as a CPA Tax Manager starting in Chicago, to Dallas, to San Francisco, and back to Chicago.

Pam married her husband Rick in 1970 and together they spent 55 years of a loving, lasting marriage. During that time and in addition to moving and enjoying the cities mentioned above she also enjoyed three Great Pyrenees and three Shih Tzu's and loved everyone of them.

After retiring she and her husband moved to The Villages, FL in 2013 for the scenic and active lifestyle the community provided. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 which took her life in 2025 after a long courageous fight.

Pam is survived by her husband; sisters Susan (Gordy) Freeman, and Peggy Buskirk; numerous siblings; and her current Shih Tzu Gizmo. She was preceded in death by her parents Margaret and Lloyd; and her brother-in-law Marty Buskirk.

An inurnment ceremony will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 1 pm.

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

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Rebecca “Becky” Heaton

Rebecca “Becky” Heaton, 82, of Norwood, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026 at Farmington Village.

She was born on June 14, 1943 in Missouri to Silas and Loraine (Anderson) Cochran.

She married Charles “Chuck” Heaton on February 21, 1965. He preceded her in death in 2019.

Surviving are her children, Jeff (Tina) Heaton of Bartonville, Jodi (Kenny) Noe of Peoria, John (Kathy) Heaton of Bartonville, two brothers, Larry Cochran, Ronnie Cochran, three sisters, Barb Lubitz, Fran Ferry, Sheryl Snider, four grandchildren, David, Katie, Holly and Rachel and six great grandchildren.

Becky enjoyed to crochet and quilt in her spare time. Most of all she was the family care giver and was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

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

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Sue Ellen Weaver

Sue Ellen (Moody) Weaver, 81, of Canton, Illinois, was born on July 12, 1944, in Canton, Illinois, to Dwight and Leona (Behymer) Moody, who both preceded her in death. She entered Renaissance Care Center in Canton in 2020 due to challenges with dementia, where she passed peacefully on March 2, 2026.

Sue’s life was rooted in family. She carried with her the strength and steadiness of her parents and the small-town values she grew up with. Everyone close to her understood that what she valued most was not material possessions, but relationships — she cherished spending time with family and friends and took joy in work where she could help others. She had a great love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was the loving mother of Tammy (Russ) Baldwin, Tom (Kim) Ramsell, and Jeremy (Angie) Graham. To her nine grandchildren — Annalisa (Jay) Jenkins, Caiden (Kirstin) Scalf, Jordan Yocum, Kelsey (Jace) Yocum, Dylan (Katherine) Yocum, Maddox Graham, Logan Graham, Tatum Graham, and Kamrie Skaggs — she was loving grandma. She would offer a listening ear when needed and enjoyed watching the kids grow (if even from a distance.) Her love only multiplied with the arrival of ten great-grandchildren.

Sue's three brothers—Gene Moody, James “Ed” Moody, and Dick Moody—passed before her. She carried their memories with her always, holding tight to the bond only siblings understand.

Sue graduated from Pekin HS in 1962, after attending her earlier years in Cuba. She became a licensed cosmetologist in the early seventies, a career path that she thoroughly enjoyed. Later in life, she operated a salon out of her home in Cuba. She worked at Graham Hospital in Canton for many years, starting as an aid and later becoming the secretary. Following that, she worked at First Baptist Church. When love came calling, she found herself in Columbus Ohio. She loved it there, enjoying all that the city had to offer. It was one of the happiest times of her life. It is there she became a diehard Ohio Buckeyes fan, and she was also a lifelong Cubs fan. She enjoyed sports and attended a variety of games and events with her son, Jeremy. In Columbus she worked at a Sleep Clinic, a job that she really loved. She retired from the clinic and moved back to Fulton County, settling in Canton.

Though the dates of our lives are simple markers, it is the in-between that tells the real story. Sue’s story was one of devotion — to her faith, to family, to community, and to the quiet acts of love that often go unnoticed but are never unfelt. She created a space where people felt welcome and heard. Her legacy lives on in the traditions she started, the lessons she taught without even realizing it, and the deep love that continues to bind her family together. One of those special acts was her creation of a support group called HUGS (Help Us Give Support) for those experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one, that she organized at Graham Hospital in Canton. She led this group with pride and humility, and it meant so much to her to have an outreach that could offer comfort to others.

Sue enjoyed playing cards and bingo, participating in numerous card groups over the years. Another of her loves was driving. She enjoyed setting out for day trips and was frequently drawn to travel back to Columbus to see friends or even journey as far as Florida where she got to explore the Holy Land Experience. Her faith was extremely important to her, and she would share the love of Jesus when she had the opportunity. She travelled to Washington State to see her daughter and encountered a heavy snowstorm on her return trip. Fortunately, a local police officer escorted her to safety. Always an adventure.

Our mom was gentle, loving, and stayed positive and generous despite many challenges throughout her lifetime. She was our soft place to fall and the heartbeat of our family. While we have heavy hearts, we also have gratitude for the gift that she was to us. We celebrate her life and rejoice in the fact that she will be in God’s eternal care.

Services are scheduled for Friday, March 6th, at Henry Lange Memorial Home in Cuba, with visitation starting one hour before the funeral at 11 a.m. Pastor Monroe Bailey will be presiding. Burial will follow at Cuba Cemetery.

You can honor her memory by donating to the Dementia Society of America.