Celebrating Decatur and Macon County-area engagements, weddings, anniversaries and birthdays

May 6, 2021
May 6, 2021 Updated May 6, 2021

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Remains of Korean War soldier to return to Decatur

Donnette Beckett
Updated May 7, 2021

DECATUR — The remains of Korean War soldier Cpl. Asa Vance will return to his hometown of Decatur on Monday, May 10.

His body is expected to arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport around 3 p.m. A Patriot Guard procession will escort the family and the remains to Decatur, Illinois Route 48 from Taylorville, through Stonington and Blue Mound, into Decatur. The procession will continue to Pershing Road and to the Tanzyus-Logan Funeral Home on North Kandy Lane.

The funeral will be Friday, May 14, at the Central Christian Church, Springfield, with the burial at Camp Butler Cemetery, Springfield.

Vance enlisted in December 1949 and went to training in Kansas and Georgia before serving in Japan.

Vance was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces.

The Army listed him as presumed dead in 1954.

Following a meeting between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un in 2018, the North Korean government turned over more than 55 boxes of war-dead remains to the United States. Some boxes of remains were recovered from Sinhung-ri, consistent with where Vance was reported missing in action. Analysts eventually identified Vance among the remains.

Vance remains were found through the work of the Defense Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency.

PHOTOS: The Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor is dedicated at the Decatur Civic Center

Births listed for May 1

Lynda Margerum
Apr 30, 2021

Decatur Memorial

HIGGINS, Timothy Daniel and Kimberly (Wooters), Moweaqua, boy, April 22

GRUEN, Colton Montgomery and Makaylee Marie Church, Cerro Gordo, boy, April 23

MILLER, William Wade and Erin (Roe), Decatur, girl, April 26

HARSHBARGER, Shane Allen and Laura Sue Chmiel, Pierson Station, girl, April 28

ANDERSON, Cymone, Decatur, boy, April 28

McQUELLON, James Andrew and Jill (Park), Maroa, girl, April 28

St. Mary's

HARNISH, Kodi and Brittany Mast-Pierceall, Decatur, girl, April 16

MILLER, Alexander and Brecia Hutchcraft, Vandalia, girl, April 23

FORBES, Bradley and Christie Ramirez, Decatur, girl, April 24

PAYTON, Karioone and Niauna Patterson, Decatur, boy, April 25

KRAUS, Larry Jr. and Andrea Fair, Decatur, April 27

OUTLAW, Shawtez and Brianna Durr, Decatur, girl, April 28

SEAPY, Corey and Chelsea (Anderson), Decatur, girl, April 28

SHARTZER, Cole and Andrea (Kirby), Forsyth, girl, April 28

Births listed for Saturday, April 24

Apr 23, 2021

Decatur Memorial

WHITE, Blake Aven and Destiny Howard, Lincoln, girl, April 16

SKELLEY, Alexis, Moweaqua, girl, April 17

VOYLES, Zachary Michael and Rebecca Sheets, Decatur, girl, April 17

MARTINA, Lucas P. and Kelly (Witts), Oakley, boy, April 17

SMITH, Joshua Daniel and Christina Ellis, Decatur, boy, April 20

LEDBETTER, Justin Dean and Kristina Dornbos, Mount Zion, girl, April 21

THOMAS, Michael A. and Jennifer (Wright), Decatur, boy, April 21

St. Mary's

NGUYEN, Bobby and Julie (Bui), Decatur, girl, April 15

FERGUSON, Karl and Keely (Nolan), Clinton, girl, April 16

WOODLAND, Javlon and Teniya Shelton, Decatur, boy, April 16

WHITE, Jeffrey Jr. and Breann Young, Decatur, boy, April 18

RAWLS, Mark Jr. and Alexis Nelson, Decatur, girl, April 19

HENDERSON, Andrew and Katie (Mahannah), Decatur, boy, April 21

Matt Whitehead selected as Decatur Park Board of Commissioners

Donnette Beckett
Apr 17, 2021

DECATUR — Matt Whitehead has been selected by the Decatur Park Board of Commissioners to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Jack Kenny.

Whitehead, who was unanimously approved by the board, will complete the remaining two-years of Kenny's term.

Whitehead's experiences fulfill the board's goals by having leadership positions in the community as well as being committed to the park district and bringing skills to the board’s leadership.

“The Board of Commissioners was impressed by Mr. Whitehead's experience, organizational leadership skills, finance background and history of board service, which are qualifications we felt made him an excellent candidate for this appointment," said Stacey Young, president of the Decatur park board. "His passion to give back and do all he can to help this community be the best it can be matches the mission of the Park District.”

A Decatur native, Whitehead is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, Richland Community College and the University of Illinois-Springfield, with a bachelor's degree in accounting. After starting his career in banking, Whitehead worked for the Decatur Family YMCA for 13 years, with the past six years as CEO.

In 2020, he accepted a position as vice president of Scott State Bank. Whitehead currently serves on the Richland Community College Foundation Board and was named the 2021 Richland Community College Alumnus of the Year.

He is married to Sarah Gillespey and has four children.

“I am very excited and humbled by this opportunity to serve on the Decatur Park Board of Commissioners," Whitehead stated in a press release. "I look forward to working with the board and leadership to further the park district’s mission of enriching our community’s quality of life, health and wellness, education, and economic vitality by providing outstanding parks, facilities, and recreational opportunities.”