January 15, 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.

No paper will be published on Feb. 5 
  There will not be a Sidell Reporter published on Thursday, Feb. 5. Deadline for news and advertising for the Jan. 29 and Feb. 12 issues remain the same as noon on Monday for Thursday publication

Newspaper for Sale
    The Sidell Reporter is looking for someone to take over the 138-yearold publication as managing editor or owner/publisher. Contact Editor Rinda Maddox by phone, text, email, US
mail, Facebook, carrier pigeon or thru the Grapevine. Just not by Fax. We got rid of that years ago.

Headlines

Sidell reports no more info can be given auditors

Jordyn Fourez to compete in Illinois State Fair Pageant

Welcome Sign beca

Sports

Storm hits Buff territory;
Lady Storm seeded 1st in County


Buffaloes hit by 2nd Storm
Storm plays 1st round of county on Saturday

Oakwood Salt Fork Wrestling


Junior High Sports Update


Obituaries
    RONALD W. SMOOT, 74, prominent Fairmount and Catlin area farmer and longtime township official, passed away unexpectedly at his home at 8:24 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 6, 2026.  Ronald was born Dec. 5, 1951, in Danville to Donald P. and Susie M. Kizer Smoot. He married Kay Harby on Aug. 7, 1971, at the Catlin United Methodist Church. Kay survives, as well as two sons, Matthew (Jill Wilson) Smoot and Jed (Tara) Smoot; two brothers, Donald E. (Jackie) Smoot and John Kevin (Teresa) Smoot; his sister, Dianna (Kevin) Kirk; and his grandson, Sullivan “Sully” Smoot.  Survivors include two brothers-in-law, Mike Pirtle and David (Terry) Harby and numerous nieces and nephews and their children, all of whom he maintained a great relationship with and they loved their “Uncle Ronald.” He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Sue Pirtle.
    Ronald was engaged in farming at an early age with his father and brothers, and transitioned into the building trades. He was the longtime office manager for the Smoot Construction Company. He served for over 30 years on the Catlin Township Board and was the current treasurer of the Catlin Historical Society. Ronald was the 2009 recipient of the Catlin Lions Club Man of the Year Award. He was a member of the Pollywog Association in Oakwood. He had been active in the FFA Association and had held several offices with them. He had been an avid hunter and fisherman along with his brothers Donald and Kevin. Ron and Kay enjoyed socializing with friends and he especially enjoyed cooking on the grill for family get-togethers. He enjoyed watching baseball and basketball games and helping the boys farm. He loved his family and community. He was never a complainer and loved helping others. Playing solitaire was a favorite activity. His greatest joy came from his grandson Sully and the time they spent together.
    Funeral services were Jan. 13 at the Catlin United Methodist Church with Pastor Trevor Oetting officiating. Burial was in Oakridge Cemetery in Catlin. Memorials to the Catlin Historical Society or the local FFA Chapter. The Robison Chapel in Catlin is handling service details. Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com

    SHARON E. TAYLOR, 82, of Watertown, Wis., went to her heavenly home on Jan. 6, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee.
    Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Bethel Baptist Church in Georgetown. A brief Celebration of Life service will follow at 3 p.m.
    Born Oct. 30, 1943, in Danville, the eldest of three children to Merle and Edith Doolen, Sharon grew up on a small farm in Indianola, attended and served at Bethel Baptist Church of Georgetown, graduated from Georgetown High School, attended Bob Jones University, and married the love of her life, Joel G. Taylor of Indianola.  At his passing in 2023, they had been married 56 short and sweet years.
    Sharon was a homemaker, often a farm hand, a Sunday school teacher, a church pianist, eventually a secretary and executive assistant, a friend to all, but is missed most today by those who call her Mom and Grandma. Known both for her magic in the kitchen and on the piano, Sharon used her time and gifts to invest in others all her life. Her quick wit, humble charm, and unfailing knack of staying positive encouraged all who crossed her path. It was her trust in God that brought her through victories and defeat alike, and she would often urge others to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8.
    Sharon is preceded in death by both parents, her husband, brother (Kenneth Doolen), and sister (Mary Ann Glass). She is survived by her three children, Tamara (Larry) Farr of Lafayette, Ind., Becky Lazzell of Watertown, Wis., and Todd (Kimberly) Taylor of Raleigh, N.C., and seven grandchildren.
    Schmutzler-Vick Funeral Home & Cremation of Watertown, Wis. is in charge of arrangements.


    STEPHEN R GLASGOW, 52, of Fairmount passed away on Sat., Jan.10, 2026 at Carle Hospital in Urbana.
    Stephen was born on July 18, 1973 in Urbana to Gene and Jeanne McCurdy Glasgow. He married Dawn Bidner on June 5, 2004 in Savoy. She preceded him in death in 2010.
    He is also preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Denise Patterson.
    Stephen is survived by his children, Gwynna Glasgow and Drew Glasgow and his parents, Gene and Jeanne Glasgow.
    Stephen graduated from Jamaica High School in 1985 and received a Fine Arts degree from Parkland College and a Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois. Growing up he enjoyed going to turkey run to hike on the trails, and loved to play on the computer and received most of his computer knowledge from his mother.  This computer knowledge helped him begin his career as an independent commercial graphic designer, then he received a job at the U of I as a graphic designer, and finally got a job at Carle hospital as a lead designer.
He had a passion for design and art outside of work as well. He spent many hours working on his own projects and selling them at various local events, and posting a lot of his work on his Facebook page for all to see. Stephen was involved in creating podcasts with friends from various parts of the country, attended Comic-Con for a few years, and loved to read an array of different genres of books with some being science fiction, fantasy fiction, biographies, and historical fiction.  He also had a love of online video games which is shared with his son and daughter, and he was a member of the Broadlands Immanuel Lutheran Church.
    A visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 19 at the Broadlands Immanuel Lutheran Church with a funeral service beginning at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the Fairfield Cemetery north of Newman.
    Memorial donations may be made to the Broadlands Immanuel Lutheran Church.


    GARY A. CATLETT, 89, of Catlin, passed away peacefully at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind. on Jan. 5, 2026.
    Gary was born on the family farm in Fairmount, on Nov. 25,1936 to Keith and Viola Fitzsimmons Catlett. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister, Karen Catlett Kepling.  He is survived by two daughters, Kala-Jo Weller of Catlin and Kim (Ron) Taylor of Fairmount; three grandsons, Cole (Makayla) Taylor, Connor (Rachyl) Taylor, Josh Weller; one granddaughter, Jenna (Zach) Dable; and two great-grandchildren, Mika Taylor and Isla Taylor.     After graduating from Jamaica High school, Gary was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1960. He was stationed for most of his two years of service in Germany, where he was able to visit many countries and make lifelong friends. At the completion of his service Gary was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He was proud to have served his country and to be a veteran.
    Gary was a lifelong farmer and his passion began at the early age of six. Even at six years old, he felt like the farm could not operate without him. He enjoyed a full life on the family farm until he retired in 2002. After retiring, he moved to Florida where he continued being active, working at Shell Point Golf Club near Fort Myers for 10 years. Gary then moved back to Illinois where he has lived for the past several years.  Gary looked forward to visiting with his friends for breakfast over the years. He was grateful to have spent the last year, and especially Christmas, with his daughters and their families.
    Funeral services were held Jan. 10 at Muncie Baptist Church in Muncie, with Todd Creason officiating. Burial was in the Davis Cemetery west of Fairmount. Memorials may be made to Muncie Baptist Church. The Robison Chapel in Catlin handled service details.

Click to view online edition