Marilyn Ruth Brecheisen

Marilyn R. Brecheisen, 89, of Canton, passed away Sunday, February 1st, 2026, at the Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Canton. She was born in Morganville, Kansas, June 26th, 1936, to Robert and Edna (Clark) McClenahan. They preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was her husband, David Brecheisen Jr., and her siblings Bonnie, Frank, and Beth. Marilyn is survived by a son, David Brecheisen III, of Springfield, Illinois, siblings Patsy, Janice, and Clark, their spouses Harold and Eula, and many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Marilyn enjoyed an especially well-rounded high school career at Clay Center Community High School academically, socially (cheerleader, Homecoming queen) and musically as a violinist, pianist, and soprano soloist. She sang beautifully, delighting audiences with her performances of Broadway pieces or classical solos such as from Handel’s Messiah.

Marilyn attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, majoring in music performance. Later she worked for the Kansas State Treasurer in Topeka.

Marilyn married David Brecheisen Jr. in 1964, and in 1969 they moved to Moline Illinois, where their son, David was born. Then the family moved to Canton, Illinois in 1971. In 1983, Marilyn began working for the Fulton County Clerk in Lewistown. Her work involved her clerical and keyboard skills. She retired from there in 1999.

Marilyn's homemaking skills were applied overtime in summer, preserving the bounty of produce from Dave's garden. They ate well!

Per Marilyn’s wishes, there will be no services, cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. Memorials can be made to The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, 485 East Half Day Road, Suite #350, Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

John W. Schoon

John W. Schoon, 93, of Glasford, passed away, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Canton. He was born in Canton on May 13, 1932, to Harley and Grace (Hollandsworth) Schoon. They preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death is his wife, Ann (Geier) Schoon. She preceded him in death on August 3, 2022, daughters Cheryl Knussman and Valorie, son John D. Schoon, great granddaughter Penelope Litle, brother Maurice Schoon, and sister June Bankert. John is survived by two children, son in law Gary Knussman of Trivoli, daughter in law Teresa Schoon of Canton, James (Susan) Schoon of Glasford Illinois, Pam (Matt) Price of Congerville Illinois, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild and many nephews and nieces. John worked at Caterpillar for 31 years. He was a union steward and retired in 1980. John is a Veteran of the United States Army, he served from 1950 until 1953. He was a member of White Chapel Church. John devoted his life to his love of farming. Memorials may be made to the Trivoli United Methodist Church and White Chapel Church. A funeral service will be held at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11 a.m., visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held immediately following the services at Trivoli Cemetery.

John M. Minton

John M. Minton, 71, of Washington, IL, passed away at 4:38 a.m., on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at OSF Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria. He was born October 31, 1954, to John and Helen (Edwards) Minton in Peoria.

John is survived by three children, Nicole Wise of Washington, IL, Danielle Minton of Maquon, IL, and Toni Minton of Chillicothe, IL; two sisters, Susan Kennedy and Sydney (Wayne) Davis; seven grandchildren, Trevor, Tressa, Isabel, Miles, Mason, Rocco, and Richi; and nephews and nieces, Justin, Ty, Travis, John, Samantha, Andrew, and Mary.

John is preceded in death by his parents.

John was a Machinist at Caterpillar for over 30 years. He also owned and operated A Plus Lawn Care and Snow Removal for over 20 years. He was a union member for Local #649. He was a music memorabilia collector and an avid Bears and Cubs fan. He also enjoyed golfing in Florida, attending Rock ‘n’ Roll music concerts and his grandchildren’s sporting events, and especially attending family get togethers.

A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home. A visitation will be held prior to the service the same day from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. Cremation rites will then be accorded, and a private burial of his ashes will be held at Yates City Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elmwood High School Athletic Department.

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

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

Amy Lee-Gass

Amy L. Lee-Gass, 56, of Farmington, gained her wings on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on August 25, 1969 in Canton. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Delores (Lee) Spotser. She married Dan Gass on November 17, 1993 in Lewistown. He survivies.

Surviving are her children, John (Anne) Phillips, Cassondra (Skilar) Harrell, Eric (Jesse Martinez) Williams, bonus children, Cassandra (Jason) Kling, Bret Rumler, brothers, Tracey Spotser, Jamie (Shelly) Lee, sisters, Stacey Spotser, Cathy (Darren) Burton, Christy (James) Patterson, grandchildren, John, Jordan, Izabella, Liam, Zackary, Cameron, Gracie, Erikson, Gabe, Noah, Chris, Caleb, Emma and great grandchild, Zora.

Also preceding her in death are her brothers, Jack Lee, Davey Lee, Ronnie Lee, sisters, Sherri Lundquist, Toni Lee, Cindy Lee, Patti Lee and grandchild, Jaidyn “Jaidertot”.

Amy was a past member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She found joy in camping trips, scrapbooking memories, journaling her thoughts, watching documentaries, and even a little online shopping. She had a special place in her heart for animals, especially “Vashy boy”.

Above all else, Amy was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. Her love for her family knew no limits, and she gave it freely and unconditionally every single day.

Amy’s favorite saying was, “I love you always, forever, and a day,” a phrase that perfectly reflected the depth of her love for family and friends.

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

The family will be having a private celebration of her life.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Kathy A. Cooper

Kathy A. Cooper, 68, of Manito, passed away at her home at 10:05 p.m., on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. She was born August 19, 1957, in Pekin, Illinois, to Nelson and Pauline (Finley) Lawson. She married Peter Wade Cooper on September 3, 1976, at Spring Lake Missionary Church, near Manito. He preceded her in death on October 8, 2021.

Mrs. Cooper is survived by two children: Jeff Cooper, of Galesburg, Illinois, Tiffany (John) Burke, of Tuscumbia, Alabama; daughter-in-law, April Cooper, of Manito; one granddaughter, LexiAnn Cooper, of Manito; sister, Barbara Davis, of Manito; and brother, Dale Lawson, of Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Mrs. Cooper was a member of Spring Lake Missionary Church, near Manito, where she had played the piano and organ. She earned her Masters Degree in Psychology. She operated the Paducah Day Nursery for the United Way for several years. She later owned and operated child development centers in the Quad Cities, where children learned sign language.
Funeral services will be held at Spring Lake Missionary Church, on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at Meadowlawn Cemetery, in Manito. Rev. Jamie Miller will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Maas-Hurley Funeral Home, in Manito, is in charge of arrangements.

Jerry D. “Tob” Tovrea

Jerry D. “Tob” Tovrea, 77, of Canton, passed away, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at his home in Canton. He was born in Canton on April 26, 1948. He is preceded in death by his mother Betty (Lalicker) Windsor, step father, Joe Windsor and sister, Mary Jo (Robert) Lowder.

Jerry is survived by his son John (Kim) Tovrea and two grandchildren, Tyler (Sabrina) Bolen and Harley Tovrea.

Jerry worked in the Boilermakers Union for many years and also did various welding jobs. He is a Veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean War. He was a member of Fulton County ABATE and enjoyed fishing, riding his Harley Davidson, and watching the Chicago Bears.

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

Darrell Blout

Darrell Blout, 58, of rural Smithfield, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 1:11 p.m. He was born in Canton, Illinois, on February 12, 1967, to Allen and Clarice (Leininger) Blout. He was preceded in death by his father and nephew, Terry Blout. Darrell is survived by his mother; his daughter, Emily Blout; stepdaughter, Katie (Stephen) Little; one brother, Dale (Kim) Blout; three sisters, Sheila Blout, Kathi (Chris) Harmon, and Rita (Joe) Casey; a niece and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Darrell is a 1985 graduate of Spoon River Valley High School and had the honor of receiving his diploma from his father who was a School Board member at the time. He developed a knack for mechanics at a young age while helping on the family farm with his father and grandfather, so it was only natural for him to attend Spoon River College to study diesel mechanics. After college, he initially worked as a diesel mechanic at Deere Crossing south of Avon, Illinois, but eventually returned to farming and began raising his own livestock and growing his own crops. At some point he bought his first semi tractor and began trucking also. Farming and trucking were his two greatest passions. He was never more content than when he was in the elds or in his semi. He enjoyed it even more when his daughter was able to assist him in continuing to move the grain from the combine to semis and the bins while Darrell harvested and (as needed) hauled grain to the elevator. Emily shadowed her dad from a very young age like Darrell did with his father to learn the ropes and became his right-hand “man”. He did not shy away from teaching her his favorite past time was stock tractor pulling with his friends at various county fairs and other pulling events and even had the pleasure of finally convincing his 70-year-old father to pull with him a few times. After years of frequently asking Darrell if she could pull also, he finally allowed her when she was of age. He enjoyed pulling with Emily in addition to watching John Wayne movies together. Darrell was a caring and loving son, brother, and father. Per his wishes, there will be no visitation or service. Cremation rites will be accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. A celebration of life will be held in the form of a breakfast buffet in his honor at Fairview Café, 365 Carter Street, Fairview, Illinois, on Saturday, February 7, from 9:00 to11:00; American Grill’s event room, 525 South 5TH Street, Canton, Illinois, on Saturday, February 7, from 1:30 to 3:30; Pottsie’s event room east/right of the bar, 300 East Main Street, Cuba, Illinois on Sunday, February

8, from 12:00 to 4:00.

Memorials may be made to Spoon River College Foundation - Diesel Mechanics Dept for a scholarship in his name. Make checks payable to: Spoon River College Foundation, Darrell Blout Scholarship.

Online condolences can be left at www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.