Karen S. Brobston

Karen Brobston, 74, of Vermont, IL, passed away at 5:06 pm on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Rushville Rehab and Nursing Center in Rushville, IL. She was born on August 9, 1951 in Canton, IL, the daughter of Ben and Alice (Jones) Wilson. She married Kenneth “Red” Brobston on October 23, 1976 in Vermont, IL. Kenneth preceded Karen in death on March 1, 2023.

Also preceding her in death are her parents.

She is survived by her two children; Tanya (and William) Morgan of Vermont and Kenneth (and Becky Fewkes) Brobston, Jr. of Table Grove, IL, step-daughter; Pam (and John) York of St. Paul, Iowa, four grandchildren; Laci (and Skylar) Vedenhaupt, Corey (and Nadine) Jacobs, Seth Jacobs and Colleen Welch, 3 step-grandchildren; Nicole Suesens, Amanda Suesens and Lynsey Brobston, eight great-grandchildren, five sisters; Vickie Ward, Alisa Elandt, Robin Berto, Tammy Hensley and Kelly Everitt, and one brother; Rick Wilson.

Karen worked as a CNA.

Karen enjoyed crocheting and collecting dolls. She loved Betty Boop. She was a good homemaker and would keep her home pristine. Karen and her husband Kenneth loved to travel, go to car shows and going out to eat together. She was strong in her faith and was a devout Jehovah Witness.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, October 20, 2025 in the Vermont Cemetery. A visitation will take place from 10 to 11 am on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Rushville Rehab and Nursing Center or the Vermont Fire and Rescue Squad.

Janet Rose Yocum

Janet Rose Yocum, 83, of Canton, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Red Oak Estates in Canton. She was born on November 22, 1941, in Canton.

Surviving are her sisters, Carolyn Rose Bittner of Peoria and Linda Jacobs of Utah; her brother, Gary (Fritzie) Schoonover of Bloomington; a special cousin, Stanley Ransom; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; Arthur and Grace Schoonover, one brother, Paul Kruschinsky; and one sister, Melba Lee.

Janet retired from the Coleman Clinic in Canton after 38 years of dedicated service. She enjoyed reading and was an avid Elvis Presley fan. A lifelong animal lover, she took great care of the neighborhood cats, making sure they were always looked after. Janet was also the family caregiver throughout her life—devotedly tending to her parents, her daughter, and anyone else in need.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Walnut Cemetery in Banner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fulton County Humane Society.

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

Margaret E. Miller

Margaret E. Miller, 80, of Lewistown, IL, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025 at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, IL. She was born on September 18, 1945 in Macomb, IL.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, John “Jack” and Hattie (Walton) Baldry, Jr.

She is survived by her brother; Anthony (and Tammy) Baldry of Lewistown, IL, two nieces; Sarah (and Eric) Stell and Amber (and Jeff) Dearing, nephew; Mark (and Emily) Baldry, and six great-nieces and nephews; Ross Stell, Lucas Dearing, Jack Dearing, Trinity (and Jessie) Baldry, Grant Baldry and Gage Baldry.

Margaret first worked for the State of Illinois in the License Plate Department. She went on to work for the Springfield Clinic before working in the billing department for the McDonough District Hospital for several years before retiring.

She was on the council for the Spoon River Towers where she resided. Margaret was known as one of the Astoria area “Golden Gals”. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and NASCAR fan. She also enjoyed coloring in books and on her tablet and playing BINGO. She loved her family, especially all of her nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 12 pm on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL. Pastor Matthew Thiner will officiate. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Astoria Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Astoria Christian Church.

Dixie Davis

Dixie Davis, 71, of Canton, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at her home.

She was born on July 26, 1954, in Canton, to Ted and MaraLee (Jarnigan) Breese, who preceded her in death.

Dixie married Sammy Davis on February 23, 1974. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Surviving are her daughter, Stacy Fields; three stepchildren, Tony (LeAnna) Davis, Tiffanie Pressley, and Nichole (Chad) Kellem; one grandson, Vic Corvus; and five step-grandchildren, Amelia Denny, Phoebe Denny, Logan Kellem, Brody Kellem, and Brielle Kellem. Also surviving are her brother-in-law, Mike (Mary) Davis; two sisters-in-law, Becky (the late Terry) Schutte and Sarah Waske; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Jack, David, and Kenny Breese; two sisters, Carolyn Shepherd and Penny Breese; four nephews; and one niece.

Dixie worked at SC2 in East Peoria for 20 years before retiring in 2012. She enjoyed crocheting and reading, and was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. She also loved watching NASCAR, especially cheering for Rusty Wallace and Kevin Harvick.

Music was always a big part of her life — from the timeless songs of Elvis Presley to the energy of Kid Rock — and she always made sure it was played loud enough for everyone to enjoy. An animal lover at heart, Dixie found her greatest joy in spending time with her family

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

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

Alcinda J. Craft

Alcinda Jane Craft, 83, of Vermont, died at noon in her home on Saturday October 11, 2025 surrounded by her family.

She was born on June 28, 1942 in Macomb, IL to Jim and Ann Richmond. She married George Craft on August 10, 1963 in Encino, CA. He survives along with three daughters; Deirdre, Adrea, and Paige, three sons-in-law; David Andreas, Larry Ayers, and David Gentry, four grandchildren; Callie Andreas, Malachi Ayers, Micah Ayers, and George Gentry, one sister; Damaris & Art Mortvedt, two brothers; Phil & Jackie Richmond, and Curt & Georgia Richmond, one sister in law Judy Wood.

She grew up in Table Grove attending VIT schools graduating in 1960. She graduated from Cottey College in 1962, and WIU in 1964 with a B.S. in Education. She taught school in Vermont for four years, then stayed home with her young girls and helped George farm. She returned to school for R.N. training, then worked as a Hospice nurse until she retired in 2005.

She was a 63-year member of PEO Chapter C. She was active in church playing the piano & organ, and singing in the choir. For 30 years she supported Alzheimer’s Association by raising money and attending the annual Alzheimer’s Walks. She was an artist, believed in education and shared her love of books. She was an avid gardener tending her asparagus patch and her flower beds. Her grandchildren brought her great joy and she loved being their Aanaa.

We wish to thank her caregivers who helped us over the past 2 1/2 years to keep her at home:Joyce Norville, Micah Ayers, and Callie Andreas.

Cremation rights have been accorded. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM with a service to follow at 4:30 PM at the Ipava Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be to Alzheimer’s Association, and Ipava Presbyterian Church.

Michael Lee Dailey

Michael Lee Dailey, age 61 of Ipava, Illinois, passed away on Friday, October 10th as a result of a kayaking accident while camping near Thompson, Michigan. He was born on June 19, 1964 in Canton, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Ethel Marie (Wise) Dailey. He married Sue Ulmer in Lewistown, Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Marie (and John) Gage of Macomb, Illinois, two daughters; Heather (and Scott) Miller of Havana, Illinois and Angel Dailey of Ipava and two sons; Tyler Keime of Macomb and Devon (and Katie Wilson) Dailey of Fairview, Illinois.

Mike was preceded by his daughter, Alexa Dailey, his father and two brothers, Mark and Scott Dailey.

He was a US Marine Corps veteran. Mike attended Western Illinois University and was a graduate of the University of Illinois with a Mechanical Engineering degree.

Mike worked as a mechanical engineer at Western Illinois University.

He enjoyed woodworking, water activities and collecting Hot Wheel cars. He was able to fix anything.

Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18th at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Pastor Mike Ulmer will officiate. Military rites will be provided by the Ipava American Legion. Interment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Michael Dailey Memorial Fund in care of the Ipava State Bank.

Larry R. Willis

Larry R. Willis, 76, of Havana, passed away at 9:38 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at his home. He was born on June 15, 1949 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Wayne and Pauline (Jones) Willis. He married Phyllis Silberberg on January 19, 1973 in Belleville, Illinois.

Larry is survived by his wife, Phyllis Wills of Havana; children, Noah (Ashley) Willis of Rushville and Rachel (Ryan) Bieneman of Geneseo, Illinois; and grandchildren, Ava, Maya, and Eliza Beineman and Norah and Naomi Willis. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Roberta.
Larry served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971 and later became one of the first employees at the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery, where he worked until retiring in 2010. He loved spending time outdoors—whether he was fishing, gardening, or just watching the wildlife around him. Larry was also an avid bird watcher and enjoyed doing the monthly bird count at Emiquon Nature Preserve. Larry enjoyed watching his granddaughters participate in their sporting events, musical performances, and theater productions. He also enjoyed watching St Louis Cardinal baseball and was a lifelong fan.
Cremation rites have been accorded and no services are planned at this time.
Memorial donations may be made in Larry’s name to the Havana Food Pantry. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.