Tuesday, October 6, 2026

James R. Ezell

James Robert Ezell, 85, of Havana, passed away at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Bickford Senior Living in Macomb. He was born on May 17, 1941 in Granite City, Illinois to Henry and Lorraine Ezell. He married Janet Kramer and she preceded him in death.

James is survived by his children, Deena Ritter of Haverhill, Florida, Rick Moore of Closplint, Kentucky, Mike Moore of Havana, and Denise Davis of Havana and sisters, Carol Revak and Beverley Huff, both of Granite City, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Thomas Ezell.
James served in the U.S. Army and worked for the Illinois State Police from 1972 until his retirement in 1992.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana. Rev. Steve Oaks will officiate.
Memorial donations may be made in James’ name to the donor’s choice of organization. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

Pamela Haller

Pamela (Nelson) Haller, age 83, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026 in Farmington, Illinois, surrounded by her family. Pam was born on July 28, 1943. She married John Wesley Haller on May 27, 1962. He preceded her in death, along with her sister and brother-in-law Kay (Dan) Cox.


Surviving Pamela are her daughters; Theresa “Terri” Rees, and Susan (Jason) Childs; her four grandchildren, Sheri (Swearingen) Colvin, Alyson (Brittany) Cook, Joselyn (David) Waldbeesser, and Ben (Chelsea) Howard; ten great-grandchildren, Bryar, Lydea (Asher), Elyce, Tenley, Adelyn Colvin, Jaryd, Zoey, Ayden, Zandyr, and Kloey Hurst; and one great-great grandson, Zayne Oaks.


Pam worked at the Bank of Farmington for over 35 years. You could always find Pam at one of her kids, grandkids, or great-grandkids sporting events or watching her beloved Chicago Bears, St. Louis Cardinals and her Chicago Bulls on the TV.


As Pam requested, there will be no services. To leave an online condolence visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Kenneth H. Martin

Kenneth H. Martin, 91 of Farmington passed away at 4:00 pm Friday, October 2, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 19, 1935 in Cuba, the son of Ross and Fern (Sinnett) Martin. He married Rena Mae (Parker) Martin on August 14, 1954 in Bushnell. She preceded him in death on May 8, 2020.


Surviving are his children Sally (Larry) Shideman of Farmington, Brenda Murphy of West Chester Ohio, Kenny (Lori) Martin of Canton; eight grandchildren, Mindy (Ed), Holly, Jennie, Brooke (Jason), Kendra (Jason), Brandon (Holly), Jacob (Courtney), Trevor, Kayla (Joey); eleven great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Clyda Lea Miller of Hastings Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.


Kenny is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Nancy; one son-in-law, Larry; several brother and sister-in-laws; and several nieces and nephews.


Kenny attended Cuba High School and retired from International Harvester after 30 years of service, 22 of those years at the Canton plant, and 8 years in Springfield, Ohio. He also was the Farmington Township Commissioner for 8 years, and he was on the Farmington Fire Department. He was a life time member of the Farmington Moose Lodge #1571, and was a 51-year Mason member with Farmington Lodge #192.


"Kenny's family sends a heartfelt thank you from Kenny’s family to Compassus Care for the compassion and love shown to our dad we are incredibly grateful for everything you did, with special thanks to Rachel and Val. "


A note from his loving children:

Dad, life will be so different without you. We will miss you every day, thank you for everything you did for us. You were a husband, a great father, grandfather, friend, caretaker, teacher, and most importantly our everything.


Per Kenny’s wishes, there will be no services. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home. A private burial of ashes will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Farmington Recue 1100. Online condolences may be left at www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

Shirley Yerbic


Shirley Yerbic, 91, of Canton, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Graham Hospital in Canton.

She was born on October 11, 1934 in Cuba to Guy and Virginia (Bell) Walsh.

She married Frank Yerbic Jr on September 12, 1953 in Canton. He preceded her in death on March 5, 2019.

Surviving are her children, Everett (Laurie Crowell) Yerbic of Canton, Frank (Lucille) Yerbic of Canton, brother, Chalmers Walsh, sister, Jane Jackson, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

Also proceeding her in death is a brother, Chris Walsh, four sisters, Lois Smith, Sharon Bishop, Alice Kidder, Charlotte Walsh and one grandchild, Zoe Yerbic.

Shirley started working at the St Mary’s School and later retired from the Canton School District where she worked as a custodian and school bus driver after many years of service. She was a past member of St Michaels Catholic Church in St David and the Croation Lodge.

Cremation rites have been accorded by Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. A graveside burial of her ashes will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 12:30 pm, at St Joseph Cemetery in Canton.

Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen Foundation or St Joseph Cemetery Care Fund.

Judith K. DeWester

Judith “Judy” K. DeWester, 79, of Fairview, passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Richard Owens Home in Peoria, surrounded by her family.

She was born on August 31, 1947 in Peoria to Kenneth and Donna (Cordell) Duffield. She was raised by her father Kenneth and step mother, Patricia Duffield. She was preceded in death by all her parents, and one brother, Kent Duffield.

She married Floyd DeWester. He preceded her in death on February 4, 2022.

Surviving are her children, Bobbi Jo (the late Mike) McClain of Farmington, Jeremy (Joan) DeWester of Fairview, Annette (Tim) Stucky of Fairview, ten grandchildren, Kenny (Laura) Atchley, Jonny (Ashley) Atchley, Brandon (Kristen) Atchley, Miah Atchley with whom she shared her home, Summer McClain, Dustin (Ashley) DeWester, Austin (Melaina) DeWester, Carter Stucky, Parker Stucky, Lilly Stucky, eight great grandchildren, one sister, Mary Jane (Glen) Peacock of Glasford, one brother, Henry (Tina) Duffield of Glasford and her beloved cats, Lilli and Bella.

Judy worked as a bus monitor for Farmington School District for several years and was a caregiver for the elderly. She was a member of the New Hope Fellowship in Farmington. Most of all Judy’s life revolved around her family. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Cremation rites will be accorded with Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton and a burial of her ashes will be held at a later date at Lancaster Cemetery in rural Glasford.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the Yates City Community Center from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Robert F. Kaelber


Robert F. Kaelber, 89, of Vermont, IL, passed away at 2:55 pm at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, IL. He was born on November 22, 1936 in Browning, IL, the son of Franklin and Della (Hoffman) Kaelber. He married Luann Hobbs on December 2, 1961 in Bushnell, IL. She survives.


He is also survived by two sons; Rick (and Kim) Kaelber of Vermont and Frank Kaelber of Springfield, IL, four grandchildren; Ambur Williamson, Maicie (and David) Lutz, Robert (and Kylie Robertson) Kaelber and Anna (and Austin) Kemper, and six great-grandchildren; Keeley, Baylor, Savannah, E.J., Aria and Corbin.

He preceded in death by his parents, grandson; Joseph Cheatam, step-daughter; Vickie Chambers and sister; Mary June Mast.

Robert worked at Kenray Foundry in Vermont for over thirty years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved camping and spending time with his grandchildren.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held at 11 am on Friday, October 9, 2026 in the Vermont Cemetery. Pastor Cody Stinnett will officiate. Memorials may be made to the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.

Monday, October 5, 2026

Randall Burkiett Jr.

Randall Burkiett Jr., 64, of London Mills passed away Friday, October 2, 2026, surrounded by his family and friends at his home.

He was born on July 26, 1962, in Germany at a United States Army base, to Randall Burkiett Sr., and Bonnie Sue (Goff) Burkiett.

He is preceded in death by his mother Bonnie, infant brother, Reginald, and sister Reneda Marie Burkiett.

Randy is survived by his father Randall (Faye Cox-Burkiett), two children, Rebecca (John) Walters, and Randy (Sam) Burkiett, three sisters, Saebra Lynn Walljasper, Niccole (Donald) Buswell, and Collette Lynn (Rick) Ball, seven grandchildren, Kelsey, Andrew, Summer, Christopher, Joshua, Carmen, and Morgan, three great grandchildren, Colson, Hudson, and Eri, and several nieces and nephews.

Randy was a Case I.H. Diesel Mechanic prior to an automobile accident that left him as a quadriplegic in 1984.

Every Friday he hosted a homebound prayer group and bible study at his home. He enjoyed listening to audio books, sitting in the sun, watching westerns, and working on his computer. He took great pride in his DVD collection. He was an avid collector and owned 2,250 DVD’s.

Randy was always thinking of others, making weekly phone calls to check in on how everyone was doing.

Endless gratitude is extended to his caregivers, Alexandria Johnson, and DeeAnna McKinley and the countless others that gave compassionate care to Randy.

A visitation will be held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton on Monday, October 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Fiatt Independent Christian Church on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Coal Creek Bible Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of his sister Reneda.