William Schramm 71, of Springfield, IL passed away at 2:55 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Springfield Home Residential Assisted Living in Springfield, IL. Bill was born January 20, 1954 in Rushville, IL, the son of Kermit & Barbara (Roudebush) Schramm. He married Ann Fulks on April 25, 1982 at the Rushville First United Methodist Church. She survives along with (1) son Nick (Brianne) Schramm; (2) grandchildren Ella & Braden Schramm, all of Springfield, IL; (2) sisters Sue (Don) Behymer of Springfield, IL and Debbie (Keith) Kramer of Cape Coral, FL; (1) sister-in-law Beth (Paul) Leach of Salisbury, IL; (3) nephews Curtis Behymer of Chicago, IL, Joe (Kasey) Henricks and Matt (Stephanie) Henricks, both of Rushville, IL. He is preceded in death by his parents, and mother & father-in-law, Roger and Marjie Fulks. Bill graduated from Rushville High School in 1972 and received his Bachelors in Marketing degree from Western Illinois University in 1976. He was a Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Caterpillar in East Peoria. Bill was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching Jeff Gordon, the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and the Fighting Illini.  Bill loved to golf, ride his Harley, go boating, attend sporting events and live music concerts, but loved nothing more than watching his grandchildren participate in activities. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Gift of Hope Community Foundation or his grandchildren’s education fund.  

William Gayle Rucker 80, of Rushville, IL passed away Friday, March 28, 2025 at his home. Bill was born on January 6, 1945 in Hayes, KS the son of the late William and Florence Loree Mickelson Rucker. He married Betty Palmer on March 21, 1970 at the Little White Church in Melrose Park, IL. She survives along with (4) children Kassandra Lynn Cline & David of Albion, IL, Destini Marie McFall & Wayne of Statham, GA, Donald Curtis Rucker & Jordan of Vienna, VA, Chad Michael Rucker & Melissa; (10) Grandchildren Jillian, Alyssa, Kaelen, Andy, Billy, Patricia, Logan, Curtis, Kylee, Ayden,; (3) great-grandchildren Charlotte, Chase, and Bellamy;  (1) sister Patricia Reed & Partner Jane Frost of Cape Cod, MA. (1) brother Charles Rucker & Judy of California. He was preceded in death by (1) sister Francis Loree Rucker Pierce. Bill attended several universities including Fort Hayes State, Ohio State Elmhurst, Free Port Jr. College, Northern Illinois, and Northwestern Theological Seminary. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War afterword he married his wife Betty and started their family. He taught and coached for several years and was called to minister in 1971 serving several churches including Albion, Marion and Rushville. He served as the Director of activities at Sharps Park in Melrose Park, mayor of Albion and several other positions throughout the years. Bill enjoyed playing cards, golf, attending any kind of sporting event, he enjoyed visiting with people and especially telling bad jokes, and he liked to play “Daniel Boon”, where he would take a short cut while driving not necessarily  on the road that would cause the trip to extend a couple of hours. Bill was a family man he loved spending time with his wife, children and especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Helen Louise Lucas 73, of Rushville, IL passed away at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday March 18 2025 at Grand Prairie of Macomb. Helen was born April 23, 1951 in Beardstown, IL the daughter of the late George and Georgia “Lorena” (Yeager) Davis. She married George “Bill” Lucas on November 9, 1969 in Beardstown, IL. Together they built a family filled with love and cherished memories with over 55 years of dedication of each other. Helen is survived by her husband Bill; a son Terry (Debbie) Lucas of Rushville, IL; a daughter Lori Taylor of Rushville, IL; (4) grandchildren Jesse (Tiffany Lucas of Ocilla, GA, Alyssa (Luke) Eddington of Macomb, IL, Peyton Cook of Griggsville, IL and Deni Taylor of Griggsville, IL; (6) great-grandchildren Sophia, Gideon, Abel, Jace, Elowyn and Novalie; and a sister Virginia Thomas of Beardstown, IL. She is preceded in death (3) brothers John Yeager, Howard Davis and Donnie Davis; and a sister Ruby Dober. Helen dedicated her life to caring for others, wearing many hats throughout her career from cosmetology to working as a CNA and serving as an activity director in various nursing homes. She had a deep love for animals of all kinds and found immense joy in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Helen’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for those around her will be deeply missed. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is at peace with Jesus and reunited with loved ones who passed before her. A Celebration of life will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at Worthington Funeral Home with Pastor Victor Randall officiating. Interment will follow at Beardstown City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be given to the Rushville Assembly of God Church.

Ruth Jean Woodruff Teel, 95 of Rushville, IL passed away at 12:50 p.m. Friday February 28, 2025 at Rushville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.  She was born January 28, 1930 in Springfield, IL to the late Clarke W. & Ruth Shivelbine Woodruff. Ruth married Robert R. Teel on July 8, 1950 at the First Congregational Church in Springfield, IL. Surviving is a daughter Catherine Jean Teel & significant other Dr. Richard Dietzen, a son Richard Clarke Teel & wife Dawn, 3) grandchildren Daniel Lane & wife Emily Sullivan, Elizabeth Braband- Lane & Wife Kellie, and Lindsay Booth 2) great-grandchildren Ember Grace Booth and John Robert Lane, a brother Clarke Woodruff. She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Robert R. Teel and an infant sister Mary Jane Woodruff. Ruth graduated from Springfield High School in 1947; entered University of Illinois in 1947 and finished with a Bachelor’s degree in education from U of I around 1960. Ruth taught for 26 years of Sixth grade in the same room at Rushville Junior High. She was a Member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Lifelong Girl Scout and troop leader, a member of the Ninety-Nines a national organization of women pilots, Chapter AL of the PEO Sisterhood, an Original member of P.R.I.D.E., Schuyler Singers, The First United Methodist Church and Generations Choir. Ruth will be remembered by her talented needlework, sharing hundreds of pieces with family and friends. Her sixth graders may recall her as the “pilot teacher” who gave plane rides to many students after completing a classroom study in basic aviation. A funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Rushville, IL with Rev. Stacy Tomich officiating. Interment will follow at Rushville City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the Church. Memorials may be given to the Schuyler County Humane Society or The First United Methodist Church.

Shirley Irene Miller (Sipes), age 88, of Adair Illinois, passed away at 5:40 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Wesley Village in Macomb, Illinois.  She was born April 6, 1936, in Schuyler County, Illinois, a daughter of Harrison and Susie (Curtis) Sipes.  She married Bobbie G. Miller on November 27, 1954, in Rushville, Illinois at the First Methodist Church.  He preceded her in death August 17, 2008. Shirley’s home and family were the most important things in her life.  After raising her family she went to work as a dietary aide and worked her way up to the Food Service Director at the Elms Nursing Home in Macomb, Illinois.  Shirley enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and word search books.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her family at annual events that include a fish fry at Kevin and Tonia's house, Labor Day cookout and parade at Brian and Sylvan’s house, hay rack ride and wiener roast at Rhonda and Wayne’s house, and was even known to invite herself, and the entire family, over to Lonnie and Lindsy’s house on the 4th of July.  Any time family was together, Shirley cherished. She was a member of the Houston Church. Surviving children are Kevin (Tonia) of Littleton, Brian (Sylvan) of Colchester, Rhonda (Wayne) Cameron of rural Macomb, (Mike McAnally) of Rushville, and Craig (Stacey) of Rushville.  Shirley has 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Lisa (Mike) McAnally, 2 brothers Loren and Russell Sipes, 1 sister Lois Mitchell, and 1 great-granddaughter Alexis Miller. Cremation rites have been accorded. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Worthington Funeral Home with Mr. Mathew McAnally officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Memorials may be given to McDonough District Hospice or Wesley Village. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the Schuyler Penney Event Center in Rushville after the ceremony. Shirley’s children will be available until 6:00 to visit with family and friends.