October 22, 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.

2026 Delinquint Tax List availabel here {PDF}

Trick or Treat Hours
Sidell, Oct. 31 Trick or Treat 5-8 pm; Hot dogs served at the firs station by Fun Days  Committee 5-8 pm
Indianola, Oct. 31 Halloween party at town hall from 5-6pm.; Trick or treat 6-8 pm.
Catlin, Oct. 31 Trick or Treat 5-8 p.m.
Fairmount, Oct. 31 Trick or Treat, 6-9 pm

Headlines

Shortage of trustees prompts board referendum

Sands, Thompson seek voter’s support
Sheriff’s race is only contest for county-wide voters

Food Drive
Members of the Junior High Class from Faith Church of Fairmount’s Good News Club is holding a food drive on Sat. Oct. 31 at Fairmount Casey’s. From 9-11 a.m. All proceeds will go to the Sidell Food Pantry.  Non perishable items and monetary donations will be collected. 

Indianola vote could shift road duties to Carroll

Earthrise building permit questions await legal review

Salt Fork Sports
Storm come up short with Comets

Big week for Netters

Soccer ends season 13-10, 10-2 in VVC;  Regional starts

Richardson is VVC Champion; Wells, Betzwiser All-Conference

Woestman, Kinsley qualify for State X-Country

Jr. High Girls on winning streak as they start County action

Obituaries
    JEANNE ELAINE (PALLAS) ROBERTS was born May 31,1951, in Syracuse, New York. At 75 years, she went to be with the Lord on Oct. 15, 2026.  Jeanne was preceded in death by her father and mother, Earl and Anna (Schubert) Pallas, and her dear sister, Rita Leeper. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Terry Leeper, nephew Andy (Shana) Leeper, niece Alicia (Mark) Persich, along with her devoted husband of 53 years, Pastor Mike Roberts and her loving children, Bethany (Ben) Bradfield, Joshua (Vida) Roberts, Jenna (Dan) Davis and Elise (Justin) Spaid-Roberts; and her grandchildren, Caleb Bradfield, Gwenyth Roberts, Isaiah Roberts, Silas Roberts, and Heidi Roberts.
     Jeanne attended Georgetown College and earned a Bachelor’s in Physical Education with a minor in Music. She lived in Fairmount for 44 years with her family and was a creative seamstress, skilled musician, avid runner and active community member.
     As a seamstress, she made clothes for her children and designed costumes for church and school plays. For many years she mended and altered clothes for clients in and around Fairmount. Her projects varied from making wedding and prom dresses to tailoring work clothes.
    Jeanne had a love for athletics, having participated in gymnastics in high school and college. In Pennsylvania, she taught Kinder Swim at the local YMCA and coached gymnasts for the Junior Olympics. She gave gymnastics lessons for kids in Fairmount. Later on, you could find her at the baseball diamond coaching softball for the Fairmount Summer Softball League.
    Through the years she competed in a triathlon, ran with the Kennekuk Road Runners, and ran races like the Siberian Express at Kickapoo State Park. She brought her joy of running to others by coaching for Jamaica Jr. High Track and Field, and assisting with Salt Fork High School Track and Field. She was USATF certified, worked as a starter for Salt Fork track meets, and was an official for meets at the University of Illinois.
    Jeanne enjoyed playing piano and organ for First Baptist Church of Fairmount. When she wasn’t accompanying others, she sang in the church choir, wrote and directed Fairmount Baptist Church Christmas plays, gave voice lessons, and taught Sunday School classes.
Jeanne played piano for concerts and music competitions for the Jamaica High School chorus. She directed and choreographed the marching band flag corps for the Salt Fork Marching Band. She had a lot of fun making the flags for their routines.  Staying involved in developing the youth in our community was important to her and she directed school plays and musicals for many years, and worked as a substitute teacher for JHS.
     Jeanne found joy in using her abilities and talents to help others. She was happy to lead the way or work behind the scenes. She filled her home with music, dry wit, faith, and love.
     Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Fairmount with Reverend Scott Randolf officiating. Jeanne will be laid to rest at Greenview Cemetery in Fairmount.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before services at the church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Fairmount, Southern Care Hospice, or The Waters of Covington mailed to Robison Chapel, P.O. Box 79, Catlin, IL 61817. Robison Chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.
 
    BRYAN DOUGLAS CRAMER, 63, passed peacefully into the night on Oct. 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer.
    Born on April 8, 1963, in Urbana, Bryan spent his early years in Illinois, where he worked as a farmer before marrying the love of his life, Susan, and beginning a new chapter together in Ohio. Bryan and Susan shared 31 wonderful years of marriage, building a life together filled with love and family.
    He was a 1981 graduate of Jamaica High School.
    Quiet and thoughtful by nature, Bryan was a man of many interests and talents. An accomplished pianist and keen follower of politics and current events, he possessed a curious mind and a lifelong appreciation for learning. He enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, whether following the latest political developments, working through a Sudoku puzzle, playing the piano, or savoring a delicious meal. His love of good food was one of the many joys he shared with those around him.
    Above all, Bryan was a devoted husband and a cherished member of his family. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Susan Cramer; his children, Sean Luse (Kelly) and Sara Miller; his granddaughter, Rosalina Menozzi; his mother, Judy Weaver, and stepfather, John Weaver; and his brothers, Wesley Cramer (Lisa) and Spencer Cramer.
    Bryan was preceded in death by his father, Larry Cramer.
    He will be remembered with love by those whose lives he touched, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

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