Breeze-Courier

07/23/2025

Christian Co. YMCA, TMH to host Health, Resource Fair

Taylorville Memorial Hospital will present a Back 2 School Health and Resource Fair for local residents, which will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Christian County YMCA, 900 McAdam Drive.

For more information, head to our website at: https://www.breezecourier.com/2025/07/23/christian-co-ymc…th-resource-fair/

07/23/2025

07/23/2025

Local legend Bob Ridings sat down for a “Town Talk” with the Breeze-Courier’s Lucas on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The duo talked about Bob’s history in Taylorville, being the Fourth of July parade Marshal, and the importance of family.

The full “Town Talk” can be found on the Breeze-Courier YouTube Page and website.

For the full story, head to our website at: https://www.breezecourier.com/2025/07/23/bob-ridings-talk…s-in-taylorville/

07/23/2025

Donald Hubert Ryan
June 23, 1932 — July 21, 2025

Donald Hubert Ryan, 93 of Taylorville, passed away at 10:36 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. He was born on June 23, 1932, in Pana, the son of Glenn and Fern (Johnson) Ryan. He married Sally Anne Ryan on August 5, 1953, in Missouri.

Don is survived by his son: Mark Ryan (Cindy) of Springfield; grandsons: Jeff Ryan (Maria) of Arvada, Colorado, and Jared Ryan of Springfield; great-granddaughter: Nora Ryan; great-grandson: Nash Ryan, and sister: Judy Brierly (Jerry) of Springfield, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Sally Anne Ryan; sisters: Roberta Pray, Jean Reincke, Wanda Bates, and Carolyn Cothern.

Don was a four-year starter in football for Pana High School. He then started as an offensive lineman for one year in football at SIU Carbondale. Don was in the Navy, serving on the USS Everglades in the Mediterranean Sea. He also worked with his father on their family farm. Don was the co-owner of Craggs & Ryan International Harvester Implement Store in Pana, IL. He started Ryan’s Scrap Iron and Metal specializing in ferrous and nonferrous metals. Don then built and operated Ryan’s Inn Motel in Taylorville.

He was a member of the Shriner’s, the Elks, the Moose and the Taylorville Country Club. Growing up on the farm instilled a hard work ethic which carried on throughout his career. Don was an honest man and well respected within the Taylorville business community.

Upon their visits to see Don, Jeff and Jared always enjoyed listening to their grandpa’s humorous life stories which sparked great memories they will certainly cherish forever.

Many thanks to Theresa Rickman for her devoted and extensive care for both Don and Sally over the last ten years. Her dedication was above and beyond expectations. Many thanks, as well, to Marilyn White who also cared for Don over the past two years. Don wished to express his gratitude to his gracious friends, Don and Joyce Kelley for their long-lasting friendship.

Don will be cremated, and a private inurnment will take place at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.

Memorials may be made directly to Kemmerer Village, 941 N. 2500 East Road, Assumption, IL, 62510.

McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.

07/23/2025

Nagle 50th Wedding Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Nagle, former Taylorville residents, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, July 26, 2025 by attending Mass with their family at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, Ill. Steve and Bonnie (Wilson) were united in marriage at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylorville on July 26, 1975. They have lived in Waterloo for 32 years. They are the parents of Dr. Angela Nagle (Matthew) Crowe of Waterloo and Jeremy Stephen (Dacia) Nagle of St. Louis. Steve and Bonnie enjoy spending time with their family especially with their four granddaughters, Alexa Rosemary Crowe, 18, Ava Genevieve Crowe 15, Everleigh Ruth Nagle, 4, and Kinsley Elizabeth Nagle, 3. Bonnie's parents are Darlene Wilson of Taylorville and the late Ellis D. Wilson. Steve's parents are the late George and Rosemary Nagle of Taylorville.

07/23/2025

Betty Lee (Edwards) Sparks

October 7, 1934 — July 22, 2025

Betty Lee (Edwards) Sparks, 90, of Edinburg, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Taylorville Care Center in Taylorville, Ill. She was born on October 7, 1934, to the late Harold and Edith (Beamer) Edwards. She married Alan E. Sparks on January 5, 1953, in Edinburg, and he survives.

Betty was a caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a homemaker and took pride in caring for her family. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking, but above all, she loved spending time with her loved ones.

She is survived by her husband: Alan Sparks of Edinburg, Ill.; children: James (Kim) Sparks of Shelbyville, Ill.; Daniel Sparks of Anchorage, AK; Kathy Mitchell of Edinburg, Ill; and Carry (Kim) Sparks of Edinburg, Ill.; grandchildren: Skylar, Alex, Micah, Alan, Leah, Danielle, Clint, Cole, and Case; great-grandchildren: Theodore, Braylyn, Aryanna, Gabriella, Jace, Colbie, Tate, Saylor and Sawyer; siblings: Rosemary Goodrich; Dale Edwards; Jim Edwards; Becky Best; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by five brothers, Darrell Edwards, Harold Edwards, Carroll Edwards, William Edwards, and Leslie Edwards.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Edinburg Cemetery in Edinburg, Ill.

Memorials in her honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Taylorville Care Center activity fund.

Sutton Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

07/23/2025

Antique Tractor & Street Stock Pick-Up Truck Pull
Saturday, Aug. 9th @11 a.m. at Christian County Fairgrounds - Taylorville

Sponsored by the Ansar Ag Corp. & Christian County Shrine Club

Hook Fee = $20 per Hook
Prize Money: Top 3 in each class receive $200, $100, $50

Contact Dan Gregory 217-825-6991
Mark Cochran 217-519-1291

07/23/2025

Garage Sale this Friday & Saturday (7/25-7/26/25) at 530 S. Washington St. in Taylorville!

Friday - 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

* Men's/Women's shoes, women's clothes (small-XL), men's clothes (med. - XL), some children's clothes (various sizes), lots of household items, winter coats, toys and more!

07/23/2025

Check out our In The News segment, where we highlight the week's headlines!

07/23/2025

The Taylorville Public Library is proud to welcome Lorachelle Eck as its new Library Director. Eck officially began her role at the end of May and brings with her more than a decade of experience in libraries.

For the full story, head to our website at: https://www.breezecourier.com/2025/07/23/new-taylorville-library-director/

07/23/2025

Check out our Wednesday, July 23 printed paper! This one includes a short recap of the Breeze-Courier's sit down talk with Bob Ridings, the Pana Popcorn Festival, and much more!

Swing by our office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to pick up your copy today. They only cost $1!

07/22/2025