The start of a new year means millions of Americans will begin to write down their goals and aspirations for the upcoming year.
Here’s a link to the column at Fox News.
New Year’s resolutions for young adults in 2022 can draw on these key takeaways from 2021
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
The mainstream media’s top 10 missteps in 2021
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Throughout 2021, the mainstream media has been caught or forced to correct multiple stories that turned out to be misleading or not true.
Here’s a link to the story at the Fox News.
Toby Moore | ‘We cannot move forward if we are stuck in the past’
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Another New Year is upon us. It’s amazing how the years keep slipping by, each year seemingly moving faster than the year before. As I take stock of 2021, I encourage you to do the same.
Here’s a link to the column at the Southern Illinoisan.
Editorial: A look at 2021, a difficult, tumultuous year
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
This past year has felt far longer than most years. An insurrection at the Capitol, a pandemic with no end, Michael Madigan’s ignominious exit, and more. Here’s a look — through excerpts of editorials — at how the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board watched it unfold.
Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.
20-year-old Rend Lake College grad secures patent — an enormous feat for his age
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
At age 20, recent Rend Lake College graduate Dakota Tate has received a patent — for his invention of a way to use discarded automotive, truck and implement tires as drainage culverts.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker urges hospitals to halt nonemergency surgeries amid record-breaking COVID-19 spike; lieutenant governor infected and driver’s facilities to close
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
The effects of Illinois’ most recent COVID-19 wave were varied and widespread Thursday, with new daily cases breaking another record, the lieutenant governor announcing she has tested positive, the state shutting down in-person services at driver’s license facilities for more than two weeks and the governor urging hospitals to halt nonemergency surgeries.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Federal court panel upholds Democratic-drawn state legislative districts
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
A federal court panel in Chicago on Thursday upheld a Democratic redrawing of the state’s 177 legislative district boundaries, paving the way for next year’s statehouse elections and rejecting challenges from Republicans and Latino and Black advocacy groups that argued it violated voting rights laws.
Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.
Timothy John Shaputis – Ewing, IL
December 31, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Timothy John Shaputis, age 45, of Ewing, passed away at 6:53 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.
Tim’s wishes were to be cremated.
Celebration of Life Services will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton.
Burial for family and close friends will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in the Hope Cemetery of Ina.
Timothy John Shaputis was born on August 2, 1976, in Kankakee, IL, the son of Gary Shaputis and Brenda (Daley) Shaputis. He married the love of his life Martha Jane Jefferies on August 16, 2000, and together they were happily married for 21 years.
Tim and Martha owned and operated an excavation and lawn care business.
He enjoyed hunting deer, ducks and geese, coyotes, turkeys, and every year he hunted for antler sheds. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his three granddaughters.
Surviving is the love of his life, Martha Jane Shaputis of Ewing; three children: Justin Shaputis of Ewing, Brenden Shaputis (Kaitlin) of Ina, Maddison Shaputis of Ewing; his three granddaughters: Willa Shaputis, Oaklynn Shaputis, and Eleanore Shaputis; his father Gary Shaputis of Ewing; his mother Brenda Shaputis of Ina; a brother Todd Shaputis of Ewing; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kendra and Curt Hall of Ewing; two nieces Bailee Jefferies of Benton, Kailee Meeker of Ewing; a nephew Caden Shaputis of Ewing.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; and a brother Terry Shaputis.
Memorial contributions in memory of Timothy John Shaputis, may be made to the family, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Tim, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Byron Gale “Barney” Beard – Benton, IL
December 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Byron Gale “Barney” Beard, 88, of Benton went home to be with his Savior on Monday, December 27, 2021.
He was born on September 11, 1933, in Whittington, IL the son of Gale G. and Leota (Johnston) Beard.
He married Shirley Ann (Adams) Beard on June 13, 1952, and she survives.
In addition to his wife Shirley, Barney is survived by his daughter, Kathy and husband Rob Hutchens of Ewing, two grandchildren, Wade Martin Hutchens and Cole Robert Hutchens, and his sister, Debby and husband Mark Stirneman of Benton, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Tammy Beard.
Barney served in the U.S. Army during Korea, stationed in Germany. He worked as a coal miner for Freeman Coal, Orient #3, served as president of the Local Union, was a member of the State of Illinois Miner’s Examining Board, and then ran a successful auction service until his retirement. Barney also enjoyed owning and training thoroughbred horses. Barney accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in the 1950’s, and attended the Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with Bro. Brad Ryan officiating. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to the Ina Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com
Mary Helen Sims – Christopher, IL
December 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Mary Helen Sims of Christopher, passed away on December 19, 2021, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mary was 50 years old.
She was born on December 16, 1971 to Carl Eugene and Cynthia Jean (Norris) of Mulkeytown, Illinois. She is survived by her wife and partner of 10 years, Michelle (Leeper) Sims of Christopher.
Mary was a bright light in the Sims family, always caring and doing for everyone with a smile on her face and a kind heart. She and Michelle worked tirelessly the past several years caring for her ailing family, as a result both Mom and Dad were able to pass peacefully at home.
She is also survived by her three brothers Glenn (Susan) Sims of St. Louis, Mo; John (Laurel) Sims of Waltonville, IL; Arlie (Robert Kokott) Sims of Chicago, IL; one sister Carla Davis Sims of Christopher, IL; step children Savannah Watts and Cory Striztel as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Thomas N Sims.
Mary’s friends and family who know her will not be surprised that she gave selflessly in death, by being an organ donor. Her wishes were to be cremated. There will be a memorial service celebrating Mary’s life at a later date.
