Clifford Eugene Carter, 84, of Clinton, IL passed away 1:46 AM, March 29, 2024 at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, IL.

Graveside services will be 1 PM Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the Heyworth Cemetery, Heyworth, IL with Pastor Spencer McPheron and Rev. Richard Gray officiating. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Full Gospel Tabernacle, Heyworth, IL.

Clifford was born July 21, 1939 in Clinton, IL the son of George and Gladys (Nelson) Carter.

He married Mary L. Frisby February 4, 1963 in Trenton, GA.

Survivors include his wife, Mary L. Carter, Clinton, IL, brother-in-law, Donald Byrd, Heyworth, IL, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Clifford was a member of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Heyworth, IL. He worked as a machinist at Eureka Co. in Bloomington, IL.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

McLean – Joy Compton, 82, of McLean, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.

Graveside Services for Joy will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Point Pleasant Cemetery in Long Creek Township.

Arlieta Joy Tucker was born June 13, 1941, in Cowden, Illinois, the daughter of Herbert I. and Donna M. Evans Tucker. She was united in marriage to Rodney Compton on July 24, 1960. He preceded her in death October 26, 2012.

Joy is survived by her children: Sonia Smith and Randy (Jodie) Compton; four grandchildren: Broc (Caitlin) Compton, Blake (Ty) Compton, Jessica (Andrew) Runge, and Eric (Lindsay) Smith; six great-grandchildren: Charlie, Jacob, Ryder, Emree, Daniel, and Caleb; and one sister, Kaye Banning.

Joy was a graduate of Cowden-Herrick High School. She was a member of the McLean Christian Church and enjoyed crafting, patio gardening, sewing, reading, and spending time with her grandkids.

Memorials may be made to the McLean Christian Church or Mt. Hope-Funks Grove Fire Department.

Final arrangements are entrusted with Quiram-Peasley Funeral Home of Atlanta.

John William Dyer, 69 of Clinton, IL, passed away 3:15 AM March 19, 2024 at his home in Clinton, IL.

Services will be 3 PM, Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with Rev. Darren Barnhill officiating. Visitation will be 1-3 PM, Tuesday at the funeral home.  The family requests casual attire. Private Burial will take place at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, IL.

Memorials may be directed to the Clinton Fire Department.

John was born May 20, 1954 in Decatur, IL the oldest son of William Fred and Norma Jean (Lourash) Dyer. He married Linda Pistole June 19, 1976 in Clinton, IL.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Dyer, Clinton, IL, brothers, Donald Dyer, Kevin Dyer, and Mark Dyer and their families. Also surviving are his nephews, Matt Dyer, Brad Dyer, Daniel Dyer, Shane Dyer, Mike Pistole, Tom Pistole, Russell Pistole, and Rod Bradford and their families; nieces, Debra Focht, Cheryl Barron, Michelle Dyer, Delany Babyak, Christine Longo and their families. Many great nieces and great nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by parents.

John was a volunteer for the Apple & Pork Festival for ten years, a Scout Master for Clinton Troop #142, member of the Masonic Lodge AF & AM, Eagle Aerie #593 President for two years, Eagle Aerie #593 Trustee for 14 years, Eagles Sausage Gravy Guru, member of the Friends of Hooah for five years, long time member of the Clinton Fire Department receiving firefighter of the year award in 1987 and in 2019, member of the Honor Guard for 9/11 Steel Escort from the World Trade Center through Illinois; and a member of the Flag Ceremony for all veteran funerals.

He was a GM Master Tech at Baum Chevrolet for over 30 years along with being a GM Mentor for students from the satellite school in Peoria.

John was Firefighter II with the Clinton Fire Department. He received certification for Firefighter Apparatus Engineer State of Illinois, HazMat First Responder Operation State of Illinois, First Responder EMS and EMR State of Illinois, and CPR. He was always a teacher and mentor for the new members of the fire department.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

Clinton -- Merle Delmar Welch, known as “Skinny” by his friends and loved ones, passed away on March 11, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on May 20, 1934, at the family home near Birkbeck in DeWitt County, IL to Mary Ona Spencer and Nathan Cecil Welch. “Skinny” was a lifelong resident of the Clinton-area community. 

PVT Welch selflessly served his country as a member of the US Army’s Battalion HQ Div, 19th Infantry Regiment. In 1957, he was assigned to the 24th Infantry Div. in Korea.

In 1952 he married the late Donna Carolyn Tuggle. Together they had four sons and one daughter. In 1963 he married the late Barbara Jean Leevey. They had one son and one daughter. 

Everyone who knew “Skinny” knew that he could usually be found tinkering in the yard. Whether it be fixing up his ‘50 ford, farming on the land, enjoying his tractors (usually with a pup trotting close behind). On occasion, he and his son Terry would enjoy a squirrel hunt. 

Beside his love for his family, he was best known for his pride and the work he put into his garden. No one ever left without some fresh garden tomatoes to enjoy. 

We couldn’t have asked for a better Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, or Friend, and will miss “Skinny” everyday. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him. 

Merle “Skinny” Welch was preceded in death by his parents Nathan and Mary, his five brothers; Robert, Clarence, Virgil, Donald, and John; his five sisters; Margaret, Eva, Mabel, Ada, and Mary Alice; his wife, Barbara; his two sons, Merle Lee and Terry Nathan; one grandchild, Kamala D. Welch. 

He is survived by his two daughters; Judy Ann (Norman) Noble of Morriston, FL and Lori Ann (Dave) Foulks of Clinton, IL. His three sons; Roger (Ingrid) Welch of Clinton, IL, Billy (Claudia) Welch of Portland, TN, Paul Dean (Theresa) Welch of Armington, IL, his 26 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. 

A Rememberance Reunion is scheduled for June 2024. Details to follow.

Richard “Dick” Baldwin 84 of Clinton, IL passed away 5:27 A.M. March 17, 2024 at Manor Court, Clinton, IL.

Services will be 11 AM Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL with Ernie Harvey, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Mountjoy Cemetery, Atlanta, IL with military honors. Visitation will be 10 – 11 AM Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Second Chance Pet Adoption

Dick was born February 20, 1940 in Atlanta, IL the son of Leebert Franklin “Finn” and Dorothy Anna (Howen) Baldwin. He married Nancy Angel May 29, 1976 in Clinton, IL.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Baldwin, Clinton, IL; stepsons, Don (Karissa) West, Clinton, IL and Gary West, Clinton, IL, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his son Richard Baldwin, Jr., parents, and sister, Lois Enright.

Dick served his country in the United States Airforce. He was an Illinois State Police Trooper for 30 years with Springfield District. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and acquired a black belt rank in Tae Kwon Do and Karate. He also trained in pressure point control.

Judith Lee Fortner Coffey blessed her loved ones with her birth on October 28, 1940. She married the love of her life Charles G. Coffey on 12/31/1970 and has missed him every day since 12/19/2004. Judy is the daughter of Rollie Olin and Jewel Evelyn (Hoge) Fortner. They, along with beloved family members preceded her in death: husband Charles Coffey, precious son William (Bill, Wild Bill) Henderson, sister Connie (Ray) Rogers, sister Sandra (Doug) Vinson, and many loved family, friends and pets. Judy was a spirited individual with too many friends to list. She was an avid volunteer in the community and in her personal life. She would be embarrassed to discuss her good deeds so out of respect we will simply say thank you for showing so much love to so many. If she was helping others or making them laugh, she was happy. She loved fishing (and fish!), playing cards, attending movies and plays and hanging out with her friends. She played an active role on the Kenney village board and assisted for many years with the Kenney Fire Department fish fry and fall festival. Judy enjoyed cooking, catered for many years (Judy’s Professional Catering), volunteering, attending horse shows (and assisting with concessions at the DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds) and making all kinds of meals for every event and occasion imaginable. But nothing made her happier than a table full of loved ones. She cherished her titles of Mom and Grandma. That is her crown. Judy is survived by daughters: Dawn Jackson of Taylorville IL, Julie Gehlbach of Lincoln IL, Marjorie (Gordon) Foster of Heyworth. Grandchildren: Steve Henderson of Lincoln IL, Stephanie Henderson of Lincoln IL, Cash (Elizabeth) Jackson of Chilicothe IL), James Wilson of Florida, Holly (Luke Holt) of Clinton IL, Alex Schonauer of Union City MI, Cameron (Carly) Danison of Bloomington IL, and Ethan Williams of Heyworth IL, great grandchildren Triston (Steve), Anna and Levi (Stephanie), Evelyn Rose (Holly and Luke), Mylee, Ella and Bentley (Cameron and Carly), and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Anyone reading this may recall Judy working at LDC, Cutler Hammer, IGA deli or running the kitchen during the Logan County Fair in Lincoln IL. And finally her many years managing the food service at DeWitt County nursing home in Hallsville IL. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday March 22 at 11am at the Kenney Community Center located at 101 Johnston St., Kenney IL. The family requests in lieu of flowers or gifts donations be made to Kenney Fire Department or the Neighborhood Care Center in Clinton IL.

Sharon Alice Palmer Tucker LeHew, age 84, of Lake View, Alabama, peacefully passed away at home in the presence of two of her sons and a daughter-in-law on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Graveside services will be held at noon on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at La Place Cemetery in La Place, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, as Sharon was an avid dog lover, memorials may be made to: The Humane Society in her honor. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur, Illinois are handling the

arrangements.

Sharon was born on May 19, 1939 in Clinton, Illinois, the “Daddy’s Girl” of George Byron and Louise Luker Palmer.

Sharon was schooled by her mother who taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Sharon then graduated from Clinton High School a year early in 1956. Sharon was a cheerleader at Illinois State Normal University in Normal, Illinois, became ISNU’s 1960 Homecoming Queen, and graduated with a Bachelors in Elementary Education from ISNU on June 11, 1960.

She married David Ray Tucker on June 2, 1962 in Lafayette, Indiana. On August 26, 1983, she married Jack Allen LeHew in Galveston, Texas. Sharon was a loving and meticulous housewife, Mother, Granny, and GG, living in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Florida, and Alabama.

She is survived by her only brother: Richard Palmer of St. Charles, MO; her children: John (Natalie Kafer) Tucker of Lake View, AL: Steve (Mary) Tucker of Champaign, IL; Tim Tucker of Lake View, AL; Tami (Joe) Miller of Mesa, AZ; her step-children: Diane (Clark) McAdams of Westerfield, CT, Teena (Rich) Read of Godfrey, IL; and Rick LeHew of Edwards, IL ; her grandchildren: Jami Powers, David Tucker, Nicklaus Tucker, Brandi (Ira Jr. ) Fannin,. Tyler Tucker, and Allison Tucker; her step-grandchildren: Shannon Castellanos, Jennifer (Eric) Ahrens, Nathan (Kristin) Gerdes; Donny (Amy) Funk; and Zofia LeHew; her great-grandchildren: Austin Fannin and Adaline Powers, as well as many extended family members.

Sharon’s parents, husbands, and infant son, Curtis Ray Tucker, preceded her in death.

Sharon was, and will always be, loved very much, and now deeply missed.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.