November 13, 2025

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.

Zoning board upholds ordinance: no residence in business district

Sidell makes plans for a community Christmas
Upholds Zoning Board’s decision: no residence in business district

Richardson places 36th in state; beating personal, school record

Junior High boys open season with tough loss in Topper Classic

Junior High girls wallop Chrisman, Hoopeston

Salt Fork girls Bball team to host “Meet the players”

Hunter places 16th, 13th in IHSA Sectional swim meet

Salt Fork named 3-Star National Chapter at FFA Convention

Obituaries

    DEBRA ANN (LAMB) MILLER,  passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 8, 2025.
She was born on Feb. 13, 1955, in Danville to Archie and Angie Lamb. Debra, or Deb as she was affectionately known, is survived by two brothers, Ray (Donna) Lamb of Kissimmee, Fla., and David (Alice) Lamb of Rolla, Mo.  She was preceded in death by her older brother, Richard (Shirley) Lamb of Catlin. Deb is also survived by her brother-in-law, Steve Miller of Danville, and sister-in-law, Linda (Daniel) Rosnett of Indianola.
    Deb met the love of her life, Harl Miller, while in high school, and they were married on Dec. 1, 1973. Married for over 51 years, they shared a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion.  Deb cherished her role as a mother and farmer’s wife, and for many years, she also worked at the Veterans Administration in Danville, proudly serving those who served our country.
    Together, Harl and Deb traveled across the country, with Deb visiting all 50 states. Their trips to Alaska were among her absolute favorites. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, she inherited her love for the team from her father and was overjoyed to witness their long-awaited World Series championship in 2016.
    Deb was the proud mother of five children: April, Travis (Nicci), Caleb (Deserai), and Rachel (Eric Bryant). One child was lost in miscarriage. Her grandchildren – Tanaya, Jace, Khai, Tyler, Ryland, Eric, Armon, J’Lene, Ava, Avery, Owen, Londyn, Eli, Laeanna, Beckett, Sofia, IreLynn – were her greatest joy. She loved attending their sporting events, doing crafts with them, and celebrating holidays together.  Christmas was her favorite time of year; she lived the spirit of Jesus through her generosity and love, handcrafting personalized Christmas stockings for every child and grandchild.
    A talented artist with a passion for the fabric arts– knitting, spinning, and quilting – Debra shared her gifts freely. Many family members will continue to find comfort in the quilts and blankets she lovingly created. She also led the textile department at the Georgetown Fair for many years, sharing her skills with her community.
    Debra had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus and was active in church life, where she formed many lifelong friendships. Since the passing of her parents and brother, she often spoke of longing for a joyful reunion. Her family takes comfort in knowing that, through God’s grace, she is now with them.
    We will miss her dearly and look forward with hope to the day we are reunited once more.
    A Celebration of Deb’s life will be at 10 a.m. on Fri. Nov., 14, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Houghton-Leasure’s Chapel, Georgetown. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thurs., Nov. 13 from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Please share memories at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. 

    JULIE LOU TRISLER CATLETT, 69, President and Owner of Trisler Seed Farms, and longtime Fairmount resident, passed away at 11:05 a.m. Wed. Nov. 5, 2025, at Carle Hospital in Urbana.
    She was born Oct. 3, 1956, in Danville to Lyle and Blanche Landman Trisler. Julie married Gregory H. Catlett June 17, 1988, in Champaign. Greg survives, as well as, one step-son, Nicholas (Jordan) Catlett of Catlin, and one step-daughter, Alexis (Randy) Webb of Oakwood; one sister, Jean (Hal) Anderson of Branson, Mo., two step-grandchildren Taylor Smoot and Hendrix Catlett, as well as four nephews, and one niece. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John Trisler and Jim Trisler, and her sister, Jody Trisler.
    Julie was a certified 100 ton yacht captain, as well as President and Owner of Central Illinois Production, served on the board Illinois Foundation Seeds Association, and the Independent Professional Seedsman Association. Her hobbies include gardening and traveling.
    The family will gather for a private funeral service with burial to follow in the Davis Cemetery west of Fairmount, with Pastor Mike Roberts officiating. A public visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Tues. Nov. 11 at the First Baptist Church in Fairmount. Memorials in her memory to the Vermilion County Humane Society. The Robison Chapel in Catlin is handling service details. On-line condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.

    SHIRLEY ELLEN JENKINS passed away peacefully at her home in Temple, Ga, on Tues., Nov. 4, 2025, at the age of 90. She was the widow of Harold (Bud) Jenkins, Jr. They shared 20 beautiful years together. She was the mother of four children, grandmother to two and great-grandmother to five.
    Shirley was born on May 14, 1935, in Paris, to Harley Cravens and Edith Trott Cravens Swinford. She spent her early adulthood raising her kids and after they were grown, she went to college and graduated in December 1986.  She served as the mayor of Fairmount for many years before relocating to Venice, Fla., where she worked at Thermotype until her retirement.
Shirley and Bud loved spending their time at the dog park with their Jack Russell, Maggie. Shirley loved music, cooking, and was an avid NASCAR fan. If you were to ask her daughters, they would say she was the greatest cook.
    Shirley is preceded in death by her father, Harley Cravens, her mother, Edith Trott Cravens Swinford; her husband, Harold (Bud) Jenkins, Jr; her daughter, Julie Rigdon; her brother, David Cravens; and her sister, Nancy Cravens Boren.
    She is survived by her daughters, Brenda Hopper and Jennifer (Mark) Victory; her son, Mark (Melody) Glispie; her grandchildren, Cory Glispie and Emily (Ray) Liu; her great grandchildren, Adam, Markus, Victor, Thailin, and Liliana Liu; as well as her beloved Jack Russell and companion, Buddy.
    In keeping with her wishes, Shirley will be cremated. The family will have a private service at a later date.
    In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that contributions in memory of their mother be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://stjude.org.
    Cremation services have been entrusted to Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Buchanan, Georgia.

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