The Sidell Reporter

09/03/2026

Catlin Village Board approves Wind and Solar Ordinance despite public opposition

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.

Catlin considers solar fees, demo, parking lot projects

Vance Township pays off road grader loan early

Salt Fork’s rally stalls in 28-14 setback

Netters add two Ws

OSF Girls win Saber Corn Classic

Salt Fork Golf claims boys and girls team titles at Schlarman meet

OSF rolls to two shutout wins

Salt Fork Cheer Team

Jr. Hi Sports updates

Tia Hardin Heid builds community through coaching

Pages of the Past looks at 1951 and 1976 news

OBITUARIES
MICHAEL “MIKE” JAY ROHOUR (Poacher), 74, raised in Fairmount, until he passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at the VA in Danville surrounded by family.
Mike was born Nov. 15, 1951, in Urbana, to William “Bill” and Pearl Rohour. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1969, and after graduating went to the Air Force where he served his country from 1971 to 1975. He began truck driving and shortly after purchased his own, making him an owner operator. Mike received numerous awards for excellent logbooks and safe miles.
He was a member of the Pollywog Association and enjoyed spending his time fishing, hunting, supervising, gardening and trapping. Mike enjoyed spending time running around with his little buddy/grandson, Brantley. If you saw “Pa Mike” out and about, you’d usually see Brantley following closely behind, reminding him of what he forgot or carrying his cooler for him that he took everywhere.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Pearl Rohour; sister, Robin Kemper; good friend, Big Jim Cobb; and canine companions, Mitzy and Benelli.
He is survived by his son, Cody (Lindsey) Rohour; grandson, Bentley Rohour; brother-in-law, Ron Kemper; good friend, Dennis Peterson; cousin, Chad Rice; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
If you’d ever call Mike on the phone and ask him what he was doing, he’d always say, “Out jogging.” We can now let others know that he never jogged a day in his life.
Visitation was held Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Catlin United Methodist Church, 106 W. Vermilion St. Catlin. Mike was laid to rest with military honors at Woodlawn Cemetery in Indianola, where he will be buried next to his parents.

MARGORY J. QUEEN, 87, of Bethany, passed away Aug. 31, 2026, at her home.
Marjory was born on July 4, 1939, in Sidell; the daughter of Clarence V. and Rachel E. (Guthrie) Goodall. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with her Bachelor’s degree in teaching. Marjory went on to teach in the local schools for many years. She married Paul K. Queen on June 6, 1970; he preceded her in death on Jan. 7, 2015. Marjory was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany.
She is survived by sisters, Carol L. Wock of Urbana and Catherine K. Allen of Lebanon; nieces and nephews, Bradley Allen of Edwardsville, Becky K. Grob of Lebanon, Catherine (Uwe) Goodall-Heising of Berlin, Germany, and Andrea (Milyon) Goodall-Trulove of Portland, Oregon.
Marjory was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Charles W. Goodall.
Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Fri., Sept. 4, at Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bethany or to the Marrowbone Public Library, Bethany. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com.

09/01/2026

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT & CONGRATULATIONS! 🚑

Help CFPD give a massive welcome to one of our newest volunteer firefighters, and celebrate a huge achievement!
Please join us in welcoming Jason Stewart to the Catlin Fire Protection District! Not only is he stepping up to serve our community, but he also just officially passed his EMT certification exam! 🎉
A 2001 graduate of Bismarck-Henning High School, Jason and his family moved to Catlin in 2011 and has spent the last 24 years working at Owens Corning (Fiberteq). When he isn't working or training, he is spending time with his wife (together for 22 years, married for 19!), their two boys, Brady (17) and Parker (15), and their two Goldendoodles, Chloe and Max.
When asked why he chose to put on the gear, he said he wanted to do something truly meaningful—helping others when they need it most, especially when they can’t help themselves. We are incredibly proud to have him on our roster. His EMT skills are going to make our community safer from day one!

Congratulations again on obtaining your EMT Jason! We are glad to have you with us here at Catlin Fire Protection District!

08/30/2026

08/27/2026

Wind, solar ordinance heads to village board

Road closure announced
Sidell Township Road Commissioner T***k 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 h 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.

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.

08/22/2026

Final score from Clifton Central! That’s a WINNER!!

08/20/2026

Inside: Back to School issue. Letters from principals, meet the new staff members, full staff list, 2026-27 calendar and student view points on going back to school.

Flooding prompts bus route checks for 1st day

Excess rain causes flooding

Indianola Board tackles quorum, police officer pay

Salt Fork High library seeks Catlin, JHS yearbooks
The Salt Fork High School Library is seeking year books from Catlin and Jamaica High Schools. If you have an old one and want to donate please drop off at the high school or contact the high school librarian aid, Erica Henry, at 217-427-5331.

Carroll splits fence, cemetery survey cost

Mayor praises Catlin for successful 200th

Storm Golf finishes Bring 5 in second

60 Years; Couple celebrates a lifetime of Love, Faith, Family

Catlin Fire Protection District Report

Sidell village petitions for 3 trustees, clerk can be picked up at town hall

Petition packets for April 2027 election ready at County Clerk’s office Aug. 25

Todd/Foster reunion held in Newark

Jamaica alumni 62, 63 and 64 reunite

08/19/2026

August 16, 2026 Notice of Vacancy for 2026-2027 School Year Kitchen Worker / Cafeteria Monitor Salt Fork North Elementary General Qualifications: Food Handler’s License or ability to obtain one For more information about obtaining the necessary license, contact Robin Johnson at 427-2116. The d...