Haney Joe Stephenson, age 77 of Mt. Vernon, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Joe was born on June 21, 1948, in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of Homer and Zetta (Sturgill) Stephenson. He married Brenda Gale Compton on August 5, 1970, in Hickory Hills, and she preceded him in death on January 21, 2025. He is survived by two daughters, Penny Stephenson-Woolwine and husband Mark of Champaign, and Kelly Stephenson Peterman and husband Matthew of Mt. Vernon; g...

It is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Catherine Rose Rentfrow, 77, of Farina, on March 7th, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born to Cecil Sr. and Helen (Whitt) Quick on October 10th, 1948, in Farina. She married Dennis Fields and had 3 wonderful children before his passing in 1994. She would then find love again with James Rentfrow, and they married on May 23rd, 1998, and spent 27 loving years together before his passing. She is survived by her sons: Jason Fields, ...

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Rentfrow, 76, of Farina, formerly of Effingham, on March 3rd, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on August 4th, 1949, in Effingham to Norman and Bernice (Williams) Rentfrow. On May 23rd, 1998, he married Catherine Fields, and they would spend the next 27 loving years making their combined families one. He is survived by two daughters: Rebecca Rentfrow and Sara Hunley (fiancé Michael Mitchell); three sons: Jason Fie...

Sheryl Jean Baity, born May 24, 1951, to Don and Charlene Hellmeyer, passed away on March 10, 2026, at Heritage Woods in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Sheryl was a caring, dedicated, and selfless woman who had a 35-year career as a nursing assistant at Twin Willows Nursing Home and Salem Township Hospital. On October 17, 1974, she married Danny Baity, who preceded her in death on November 11, 2002. Her greatest joys in life were her children: Tina (Hellmeyer) Cameron and husband Tony, Donnie Bierman...

Joan (McClaren) Blackwell, 90, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, at Liberty Village of Centralia in Centralia, Illinois. Joan was born on October 31, 1935, to Ira and Lola G. (Hutson) Wilkey in Centralia, Illinois. She never needed an excuse to dress up. An avid high-heel wearer, she believed life was better when you faced it standing tall and looking good doing it. Wednesday nights were sacred. Quarter Bingo wasn't just a game-it was an event. She loved the...

Byron "Bo" Crossland, age 67 of Carlyle, passed away at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia, Illinois, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Byron was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 20, 1958, a son of Mable (Armstrong) Crossland and Thomas Henry Crossland, Jr. He married Johnnie Robertson on August 17, 1985, and she survives in Carlyle. In addition to his wife Johnnie, Byron is also survived by his children, Aaron Crossland of Atlanta, Georgia and Travianna Crossland of Norcross, G...

Winifred Hays, 80, of Salem, passed away on March 6th, 2026, at Odin Healthcare Center with her family by her side. She was born on April 9th, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to Kurb and Rose (Harris) Herrington. She is survived by her sons: Sherman (Cheryl Mitchell) Sills and Michael Sills; many wonderful grandchildren; sister: Delores Herrington; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Kurb and Rose Herrington; two husbands: Sherman Sills and George Hays; three...

Larry D. VanZandt, age 91, of Centralia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Centralia Manor. Larry was born in Centralia, November 22, 1934, to Roy and Ethel (Dodillet) VanZandt. He married Geraldine Eller on June 18, 1954, and she preceded him in death on June 10, 2018. Larry is survived by his son: Kevin VanZandt and wife Tina (Helpingstine) of Centralia, two granddaughters: Kari Nierman and husband Allen of Highland and Carly Thompson and husband Dallas of Fairview Heights...