August 27, 2026

A sampling of headlines in this week’s Sidell Reporter. To read the stories that go with this, plus many more articles in this week’s issue, subscribe today to read the Reporter in print and/or online. For details click here.

Wind, solar ordinance heads to village board

Road closure announced
    Sidell Township Road Commissioner Twink Morrison reports that County Road 200 North and 570 East, south of Archie to 100 North, the Vermilion County Line Road, has been closed and until further notice. There are culvert replacements being made on the road. It is hoped to be finished by harvest.

81st Lions Fish Fry in Catlin
    The Catlin Lions Club will hold their 81st Annual Fish Fry on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Catlin. There will be fun for all ages.

Cruise in to support Salt Fork FFA
A cruise in to be held in Fairmount from 5-8 p.m. this Saturday will benefit the Salt Fork FFA.

Drainage, streets top Catlin’s Aug. 18 agenda

Fairmount begins clean up of Main Street project

Salt Fork grids out a 7-6 win over Clifton Central

Ladies finish 2nd place in inaugural team showing

Netters open season with win over Deland

Mike Woodard experiencing NBA dreams

Connie and Clifford Puzey celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 16. 

Obituaries

    ANNA RUTH MARTIN, 92, of Catlin, passed away at 6:37 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in the comfort of her home.
    She was born in Robinson, to Ausby E. and Lyma (Allegree) Garrard. Anna married Jackie Lee Martin on May 6, 1950, in Robinson. He passed away July 19, 2014.  She is survived by her son, Leonard Martin of Catlin; daughter, Linda Weaver of Tilton; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren, including one who is expected; and extended family, Russell Burrows and Michele Stuebe.  She was preceded in death by five brothers, Harold, William, Wayne, Robert and Earl Garrard, infant twin sister Marjorie Garrard and a sister, Mildred Garrard.
    Anna was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved serving her church, Catlin Church of Christ, as its secretary and greeter, and loved lending a helping hand with funeral dinners. She enjoyed spending time with her family, crocheting, gardening, running her beauty shop, and attending church.  Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s research or Hanging Rock Church Camp. Private funeral services will be held with family. Robison Chapel is in charge of Arrangements.

  KAREN JEAN (JENKINS) OKESON, 86, passed away peacefully on Aug. 18, 2026, in Sarasota, Fla. She was born to Harold Shorty Jenkins and Meredith Jenkins on May 22, 1940, and enjoyed growing up on a farm in the small town of Fairmount, Illinois.
     After graduating from Jamaica High School in 1958 she earned her BS in Education from Eastern Illinois University and her Master of Education from the University of Illinois. After teaching at Cisna Park High School, Karen left Illinois, settling in Venice, Fla. where Karen started her career as a teacher at Lemon Bay High School in 1967 teaching PE and business.      She retired in 2000 after 33 years of teaching. She was Teacher of the Year in 1980. She was honored by Lemon Bay High School with the Lifetime Manta Award.  She married Raymond Edwin Okeson (aka Ed the Plumber) in 1971 and lovingly accepted his four children into her life. Although some of their friends joked that she was a Golf Widow, she and Ed had a wonderful marriage and enjoyed bowling, golf, playing cards, the Lions Club and traveling, especially to Alaska and Iceland.
     Karen loved their dachshunds, especially Sam, Lilly and Lucy. Karen decorated for every holiday, especially Christmas. After Ed’s passing in 2012, Karen continued to live a full life, traveling with family and friends, especially on cruises. She was fiercely independent until she lost her vision in the past couple of years. It pained her to need any help.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Okeson, her father, Harold Shorty Jenkins, her mother Meredith Jenkins, her brother Bud Jenkins, her sister-in-law, Shirley Jenkins and her stepson-in-law, Bruce De Joy.  She is survived by her four stepchildren, Stan Okeson (Diana), Shar De Joy, Brad Okeson (Sherrie) and Laura Spencer (Eric); six grandchildren; her nephew Walt Jenkins (Pam); her niece Jessika Jenkins and five great-grandchildren.
     A memorial service will be held on Sept. 5 at Farley’s Funeral Home at 265 S. Nokomis Avenue in Venice with visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the service at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to your favorite animal charity.  
    To send a memory or condolence please www.farleyfuneralhome.com.


CHARLOTTE JEAN FLEMING, 92, of Catlin, passed away at 4:22 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Villa Grove.
    Joan was born Sept. 3, 1933, in Vance Township to J. Henry “Bing” and Bess Mary Swigart Lewis. She married Donald H. Fleming on Sept. 21, 1954, at the First Christian Church in Newman, officiated by the Reverend Leslie Wolfe.  Don survives, as well as: one son, Mikel (Marianne) Fleming of Lafayette, Ind.; two daughters, Donna (Tom) Cler of Villa Grove and Mary (Stan) Seaman of Alvin; two sisters, Joyce (Don) Owens of Catlin, more recently of Bloomington, and Kay (Howard) Ohl of Covington, Ind.; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
    Joan graduated from Fairmount High School in 1951 and Lake View Hospital School Nursing in 1954. She served as school nurse for the Newman, schools for 11 years. She retired from the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville after 20 years.  Joan and Don were longtime members of the Catlin Church of Christ. She was dedicated to her family and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved animals and especially her dog, Coco.
    Funeral service are today (Thursday), noon at the Catlin Church of Christ with he family officiating. Burial in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Catlin. Visitation 11 am till service at the church. Memorials to the Vermilion County Animal Shelter in her memory. The Robison Chapel in Catlin is handling details. Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.

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