Emmett “Doc” Cundiff 91, of Clinton, IL passed away 10:40 PM February 25, 2024 at Sullivan Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Sullivan, IL.

Graveside services will be 11 AM February 29, 2024 at Willmore Cemetery, Clinton, IL with Ernie Harvey, Jr. officiating and Military Honors. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with arrangements and requests casual attire. 

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Moultrie County Beacon, Sullivan, IL where Christopher resides.

Doc was born February 28, 1932 in Wapella, IL the son of Austin Iva and Selma M. (Whalen) Cundiff. He married Doris J. Menapace February 4, 1953 in Wapella, IL. She passed away January 30, 2018.

Survivors include his children, Emmy Daniels, Clinton, IL; Carol (Allen) Cripe, Mooresburg, TN; Christopher Scott Cundiff, Sullivan, IL; 4 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Donna Hicks, one sister, and 6 brothers. 

Doc served his country in the United States Army. Doc and his wife, Doris owned and operated Cundiff’s Carpet Service, Clinton, IL for 57 years. He loved to go auctioning with Bernard and Ellie Sullivan. 

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

Robert Higgins, 92, of Chestnut, IL passed away at 4:40 AM, Feb. 12, 2024 at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.

Robert was born Feb. 4, 1932 in Argenta, IL the son of Charlie and Sarah Ellen (Moore) Higgins. He married Bernadine Ater April 14, 1953 in Argenta, IL.
 
Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Higgins of Chestnut, IL, their children, Mike Higgins (Anne) of Kenney, IL, Debbie Potterfield (Johnny) of Palmyra, MO, Connie Romans (Tim) of Stillwater, OK, and Jeff Higgins of Bradford, IL, along with one sister, Joanne Krall of Argenta, IL. Also surviving are grandchildren, Andrew Romans, Kara Wright, Sarah Glickstein, Kortney Higgins and Kristen Higgins, and great-grandchild, Eleanor Wright.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers - George, Harold, Dean, and Berlyn Higgins, and Keith Wright; four sisters - Roberta McDermith, Marguerite Feldpouch, Faye Grider and Lorene Myers.
 
Robert was a US Navy Veteran reaching the rank of 2C Quartermaster. He was a member of VFW Post 5166 in Wapello, Iowa. 

He was a long-time farmer, along with working for BoJac Seed Corn in Mt. Pulaski and Chanen’s Auto Supply in Wapello, IA. 

One of Robert’s biggest loves was traveling to Arizona with Bernadine in their motorhome.  He and Bernadine also made many cross-country motorcycle trips as members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association.

At home, Robert could fix virtually anything, from cars to vacuum cleaners.  He loved playing cards, and he and Bernadine stayed up late many nights playing Hand and Foot, a version of Canasta, with kids and grandkids. 

Robert’s garden was the envy of his neighbors. He especially enjoyed growing a variety of tomatoes, and loved sharing them with family and friends. 

He enjoyed spending time with his family, and had a special love for his great-granddaughter, Eleanor.  

No services are planned at this time. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with cremation rites.
 
Memorials may be directed to Robert Higgins Memorial Fund c/o Bernadine Higgins.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

Mary M. Bell 97 of Clinton, IL passed away 6:02 PM February 13, 2024 at Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon, IL.

Services will be 11 AM Monday, February 19, 2024 at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with Pastor Darrell Howard and Rev. Joy Starwalt officiating. Burial will follow at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL. Visitation will be 10 – 11 AM Monday at the funeral home. 

Memorials may be directed to the Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon, IL.

Mary was born April 17, 1926 in Hallsville, IL the daughter of Bert and Grace (Ruffner) Pherigo. She married Charles W. Bell September 23, 1945 in Hallsville, IL. He passed away March 14, 1998.

Survivors include her daughter, Patty Jo (Steve) Enlow, Lerna, IL, grandchildren, Steve (Jamine) Enlow, St. Petersburg, FL; Jason (Sundi) Enlow, Dandridge, TN; Aaron Enlow, Ashmore, IL, 9 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, Rex (Mary Ann) Bell, Clinton, IL and Andy Hedrick, Wapella, IL.

She was preceded in death by parents, three brothers and 2 sisters.

Mary was a member of the First Christian Church, Clinton, IL. She was a homemaker and worked alongside her husband, Charles, on the farm while also retiring from Martin Auction in Clinton. She was a great cook who loved her flowers.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

Ruth Evelyn Kaufman, 87, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, February 12, 2024. Evelyn was born in Decatur, to Ruth Rose-Edgecombe and Ira Edgecombe on September 30, 1936. She was an amazing woman who excelled at any tasks she took to heart. She spent her youth on the farm working side-by-side with her parents while all the time observing and studying the world around her. She had a knack for taking those observations and using them to create, teach, and apply them to all she did. Evelyn attended Eastern Illinois University studying Home Economics.

Evelyn worked hard to ensure her children had what they needed to grow and prosper. Education was important to her. When she felt the local school system was not providing adequate schooling for students with learning disabilities, she ran for School Board and became one of the first female School Board members in the Argenta-Oreana school system with a goal to ensure all students received the education they deserved; a mission she was very proud to have spearheaded.

She held several jobs throughout her lifetime and retired from the USPS where she served as a rural mail carrier. She was a master quilter and member of the Decatur Quilters’ Guild.

When it came to her children, Evelyn was the first to be there for them. While she put priority on their well-being and education, she also let them run free to play and explore the family farm knowing sometimes an education can be found outside of books and four walls. Time with her grandchildren was special to her and she treasured every minute with them. She also enjoyed the company of her many nieces and nephews.

Most of all, she loved and adored her husband, Wayne. They shared a beautiful life together for 55 years building a home, raising children, and spending time with family and friends.

Graveside services will be 11:30 AM Thursday, February 15, 2024 at Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta, IL with Pastor Bob Baker and Falisha Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be 10 – 11 AM Thursday at Calvert Funeral Home, Argenta, IL.

Memorials may be directed to Memorial Home Service Hospice.

She married Wayne Kaufman on October 7, 1956 in Argenta, Illinois. She is survived by her daughter Karen Kaufman of Argenta, son Dan Kaufman of Springfield, and son Brad (Falisha) Kaufman of Argenta. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Betty Hilbrant of Lexington, Kentucky, Wanda Lewis of Forsyth, Illinois, Maureen Kaufman of Argenta, Illinois; grandson’s Jesse Kaufman, Hunter Kaufman, Samuel Kaufman; granddaughters Myra Kaufman, Danielle Chick, Evelyn Jewell Kaufman; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Edgecombe, her husband Wayne Kaufman, and her son Douglas Kaufman. The family would like to express thanks to the staff at Decatur Memorial Hospital, and Memorial Home Services Hospice team. They would especially like to share much love to Falisha Kaufman for her time assisting her sister-in-law Karen with caring for Evelyn in her last year of life.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

 Jeremy L. Thayer (45) passed away in his home in Washington DC on February 2, 2024. 

 Jeremy was born to Lizette Harrison and Scott Thayer on September 21, 1978 in Alamogordo New Mexico. He grew up in Clinton, Illinois and graduated in the class of 1997. 

 Jeremy was a man of many talents and hobbies, but he was best known for his sense of humor. He was a highly motivated individual who put his all into everything he did, whether it was running marathons, coaching, working at State Farm for two decades, painting, and politics. Jeremy took pride in his work ethic, spending countless hours coaching the Bloomington Junior High track team and working at State Farm. Out of all of his achievements, being a father was his favorite. He loved spending time with his daughter Caleigh and cheering her on in all of her endeavors. 

 Jeremy is survived by his daughter, Caleigh, as well as numerous family members and friends. He was a well-known figure in the communities of Clinton and Bloomington and will be deeply missed by all. However, he is now reunited with his father, grandmother, and best friend Jeff.

 Details regarding services are pending.

ANDERSON, Kenneth R. (Randy) of Sun City Center, FL passed away on February 1, 2024 after battling Alzheimers Disease for eight years.

Randy was born August 15, l945 in Sullivan, Indiana to Medford and Irene Anderson. He married Carol (Eggerding) in 1970 she survives.  They created one amazing daugher, Julie Marie, grandson, Reef, and granddaughter, Rayley who gave him much love and happiness. 

His brother, Wayne, predeceased him.

Randy always had lots of friends and loved to golf. 

He previously served as President in both Kiwanis and Rotary clubs in Clinton, and the Clinton Presbyterian Church in many capacities.

After serving the U.S. Army in Thailand for two years, during the Vietnam War, he began his career in accounting, then banking, retiring from The John Warner Bank in Clinton, Illinois.

Martha M. Nixon, 90 of Clinton, IL passed away on January 29, 2024 at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, IL.

Private services will be on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with Pastor Darrell Howard officiating. Burial will follow at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Clinton United Methodist Church.

Martha was born January 3, 1934, in Dewitt County the daughter of Frank and Aletha (Tuggle) Lampe. She married Joseph “Joe” E. Nixon, April 6, 1952, at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He passed away December 22, 2019.

Survivors include her children, Cynthia D. (Clyde) Goin, Decatur, IL; Steven L. (Susan) Nixon, Dayton, OH; Phillip R. (Cathy) Nixon, Knoxville, TN; Don M. (Carrie) Nixon, Clinton, IL; Bruce E. (Lori) Nixon, Minocqua, WI, and Kyle B. Nixon, Clinton, IL. Also surviving are 8 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, 5 great grandsons, 10 great granddaughters, with 2 great grandchildren on the way, 1 step grandson, 1 great step grandson, and 1 great step granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Rovilla Jiles, Florence Jiles, and Doris Thorp.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com