Gerald "Gary" Strong
Mar 29, 2026
Gerald “Gary” Strong
MATTOON – Gerald Wayne “Gary” Strong, 86, of Mattoon, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Willow Breeze Hospice House, with family at his side.
The Memorial Service honoring his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, with David Zimmerman honoring Gary with a special prayer. Memorials in his honor...
Raynel S. Shipley
Mar 16, 2026
Raynel Shipley
CHARLESTON – Raynel Seaneen Shipley, 45, of Charleston, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026 at SBLHC.
The funeral service honoring her life will be held at 12:00 p.m. (NOON) Friday, March 20, 2026 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. Charleston. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. MEMORIALS IN HER HONOR...
Richard C. Droste
Mar 8, 2026
Richard Charles Droste October 7, 1950 – March 8, 2026
CHARLESTON - Richard Charles Droste, 75, of Charleston, Illinois, passed away on March 8, 2026.
Richard was born on October 7, 1950, in Litchfield, Illinois, to Vernon E. Droste and Alice E. (Niemann) Droste, both of whom preceded him in death. On August 15, 1971, he married Mary Dawson in Peru, Illinois. Together...
Keith C. Smith
Mar 7, 2026
Keith Smith
CHARLESTON – Keith Charles Smith, 67, of Charleston, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026 at his home.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home.
Keith was born October 8, 1958 at McKeesport, PA, son of Charles F. and Marcella A. (Brown) Smith. He married Angela Sasco, September 3, 2013 at...
Darlene C. Coartney
Mar 1, 2026
Darlene Coartney
ASHMORE – Darlene Clair Coartney, 96, of Ashmore, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon with her daughter at her side.
The funeral service honoring her life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026 at the Enon Baptist Church, 23262E CR 880N, Ashmore, with Scott Sims officiating. Burial will follow in Enon...
Lisa L. Clark
Mar 1, 2026
Lisa Clark
CHARLESTON – Lisa Clark, 64, of Charleston, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026 at SBLHC.
Her graveside funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston. Arrangements: Harper-Swickard.
Lisa was born October 23, 1961 at Charleston, daughter of Mary LuAnn (Martin) and Daniel Bircher, Sr. She is survived by her children, Jessica Cartwright and husband...
Otto C. Brewer
Feb 23, 2026
Otto Brewer
CHARLESTON – Otto Clayton Brewer, 75, of Charleston, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026 at SBLHC.
Otto was born May 16, 1950 in Charleston, Illinois, son of Jackson and Ethel Marie (Simpkins) Brewer. He married Karen Sue Cox, May 18, 1968 at Westfield; she survives. Also surviving are their children Brian (Peggy) Brewer and Jay Brewer, grandchildren, Brittney Garbo, Lindsey...
David G. Bridges
Feb 22, 2026
David Bridges
CHARLESTON – David Gene Bridges, 72, of Charleston, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, with the Memorial Service honoring his life beginning at 3:00 p.m. with Richard Eident officiating. Memorials in his honor may be made...
Roger Evans
Feb 14, 2026
Roger Evans
EFFINGHAM - Roger Evans, 71, of Effingham, IL, passed away on February 14, 2026, peacefully in his home surrounded by family.
Born August 7th, 1954, in Charleston, Roger was the son of Orville and Cathryn Evans. Roger was known for his kindness, dedication, humor, and generosity. He could be found spending time outside and fixing things, with an Old Mil...
Sean R. Cox
Feb 6, 2026
CHARLESTON - Sean Robert Cox, 44 of Charleston, IL passed away on Friday February 6, 2026.
Sean was born on May 16,1981 in Mattoon, IL to Debbie Boyd Cox and Arthur Owen Cox.
Sean was intelligent, quick witted and stoic. He offered support without expectation, gave freely and loved unconditionally.
His ability to deliver the perfect inappropriate one liner at just the right...
Donna Sue Mooday
Feb 6, 2026
Donna Sue Mooday
CHARLESTON – Donna Sue Mooday, 91, of Charleston, passed away Friday, February 6, 2026 at Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Donna was born January 22, 1935 in Coles County, daughter of Ruth (Pennington) and Bradford Parker, Sr. She married Cecil A. Mooday, July 3, 1956. He passed away July 14, 1998. She is survived by one sister, Carrie...
Robert W. Banning
Feb 5, 2026
Robert W. Banning
CHARLESTON – Robert Wayne Banning, 76, of Charleston, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026 at SBLHC.
Bob was born December 30, 1949 ay Wyandotte, Michigan, son of Cyril W. and Kathryn A. (Elliott) Banning. He married Karen Sue Riddle, April 9, 1968 at the Neoga Pentecostal Church; she survives. Also surviving are their sons: Rob Lee Banning and wife...
Michael D. Carver
Feb 2, 2026
Michael D. Carver
MATTOON – Michael D. Carver, 71, of Mattoon, passed away Monday, February 2, 2026 at home, with family at his side.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 6, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, Charleston. Burial will be private in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon.
Mike was born March 11, 1954 at Mattoon, Illinois,...
Richard "Dick" Beavers
Jan 31, 2026
Richard Beavers
CHARLESTON - Richard “Dick” Beavers of Charleston, Illinois passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and went to spend eternity with Jesus. Dick was born November 12, 1940, in Westfield, Illinois the fourth child of Clarence “Johnny” and Winifred Beavers. His Dad passed away when he was ten. While he didn’t have many memories of his...
Joseph E. Brown
Dec 25, 2025
Joseph E. Brown
Joseph Eric Brown, 54, of Charleston, Illinois, passed away December 25, 2025 with his sister Jill Mason at his side.
He was the beloved son of Dorothy and Lawrence Brown of Charleston. Joseph was a member of the Charleston Transitional Facility and resided at Coolidge in Charleston, where he was cared for and loved by the staff. He is...
Winona D. Shepherd
Dec 8, 2025
Winona Shepherd
CHARLESTON – Winona Doris Shepherd, 92, of Charleston, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025 at Charleston Rehabilitation and Care Center.
Her Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 15, 2025 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday, prior to the service. MEMORIALS: St. Jude’s Children’s...
James R. Meese
Dec 4, 2025
James R. Meese
ASHMORE – James R. Meese, 80, of Ashmore, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025 at SBLHC.
The funeral service honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home, Charleston. Burial will follow in Van Voorhis Cemetery, rural Hindsboro. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the...
Joyce J. Dolson
Dec 2, 2025
Joyce Dolson
CHARLESTON – Joyce Jane Dolson, 96, of Neoga, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Joyce was born May 25, 1929 at Charleston, daughter of Russell and Marie (Mercer) Bayles. She married Kenneth Dolson in 1974. He preceded her in death April 8, 1994. She is survived by cousins, Wynona (Larry) Syfert of Mode, Sherry...
John D. Hall
Nov 25, 2025
John D. Hall
CHARLESTON – John Doyle Hall, 90, of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at SBLHC, with family at his side.
John was born October 5, 1935 at Bushton, Illinois, son of Wilbur and Violet (Bell) Hall. He had been married to Linda Kelly Reed of Shelbyville, IL, and is survived by step-sons, Jerry G. Reed, Jr. of Asheville,...
Barbara J. Nordin
Nov 15, 2025
Barbara Nordin
CHARLESTON – Barbara Jean Nordin, 90, of Charleston, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025 at her home, surrounded by family.
Her funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue, Charleston, with Pastor Samuel Smith officiating. Private burial will follow in Mound Cemetery, Charleston. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. (NOON)...
