Pana News Palladium

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

Chamber of Commerce annual meeting

The Pana Chamber of Commerce will hold it's annual board meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 in the basement of the First National Bank of Pana. The meeting is open to members.

09/04/2026

Robert Leroy Marsh heard Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at his home in The Willows in Joplin, MO. He was 98 years old (and 99 days)!
He was the youngest child, and only son, of Robert and Grace (Stumpf) Marsh, and was born on May 19, 1928 at home in Pana, IL. He had three older sisters, Helen, Ardena, and Ruth. He graduated from Pana Township High School in 1946 and married the love of his life, Mary P. (Goff) Marsh, in 1953. They were happily married for over 69 years. She preceded him to Heaven in 2022.
Bob is survived by his loving family who took care of him until the end: daughter Diana and son-in-law Tito Rojas of Webb City; grandchildren, Dr. Roberto Rojas (Sara) of Shorewood, WI, Priscilla Carden (Kyle) of Neosho, MO, and Cynthia Wilcox (Aaron) of Montrose, CO; and great-grandchildren, Cristiano and Maria Rojas; Hayden and Lilly Carden; and Mya, Indie, Ella, and Kevin Wilcox. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Miriam Dannenburger and Warren and Deb Knoles of Springfield, Marsha Bland of Pana, Hoffman and Steve Close of Libertyville, and Carl Henry of New Albany, IN; and many friends.
Bob was a printer for much of his life, working in Pana at the Pana News-Palladium and Peoria, IL, and then moving his family to Peru, SA for 19 years, establishing a Christian printing ministry. When they returned to the U.S., he served at ministries in Indiana, Texas and Joplin, MO. For the last several years, he has translated Spanish material and letters for American Rehabilitation Ministries, and was still doing that about a month before his death. He was a member of Connect Christian Church in Carl Junction MO. He and Mary were baptized at Pana Christian Church.
Bob was very meticulous and a perfectionist, who did everything to the best of his abilities. He loved to laugh and tell funny stories! He loved to “tinker” in his garage and fix or make things. We will miss him VERY much!
We would like to thank all our friends and church family for their prayers and messages. Also, we are grateful for Trinity Hospice and the brief but very wonderful care they gave to our beloved Bob.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for Sunday, Nov. 22. Details will be finalized soon.
Memorial gifts in Bob’s honor may be given to American Rehabilitation Ministries, Joplin, MO or to Connect Christian Church in Carl Junction, MO.

09/04/2026

Joyce E. Gulley, 79, of Pana, IL, passed away at 11:17 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026 at the Arc at Hickory Point, Forsyth, IL.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at the Mackville Cemetery, Atwood, IL.
Joyce was born March 29, 1947, in Pana, IL, the daughter of Tolliver and Helen (Shelton) Goldsmith. She married Raymond W. Gulley on February 28, 1981. He preceded her in death on October 19, 2021.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Tim (Cathy) Sidener and James (Cyndi) Sidener; stepdaughter, Sheralyn (James) Wiegand; grandchildren, Timothy (Karon) Sidener, Jacque (Mike) Gendron, David Sidener, Alyssa Sidener, Courtnie Crawford, Maria, Aireanna and Davina Blackburn; step grandchildren, Austin (Marissa) Wiegand, Ally (Dawson) Busdeker and Elizabeth Gulley; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Evelyn, Hazel, Lilliana, Layla, Vance, Aurora, Analaya, Chancellor, Za’Veryion, Daniel and Sevyn; brothers, Harry Goldsmith and Larry Goldsmith; and sisters, Linda Hinton and Wilma Graden.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Goldsmith; stepson, Stephen Gulley; and step-grandson, Zachary Gulley.
Joyce enjoyed traveling, sewing, and researching genealogy.
Memorials are suggested to Breast Cancer Research Foundation at www.bcrf.org
Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, Atwood, IL is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at hilligossshraderfh.com

09/04/2026

William L. “Bill” Leach, 89, of Owaneco passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 in his home. He was born May 20, 1937, in Clinton, IL, son of the late Lee H. and Vera P. (Taylo) Leach. Bill married Nancy Kinney on July 15, 1983, in Four Square Church in Decatur and she survives.
Bill worked at Caterpillar for 33 years, and advanced to electrician before retirement. He attended Cerro Gordo Brethren Church and First Baptist Church in Pana. Bill enjoyed photography and was his own handy man. He was very instrumental in building their dream home in Tower Hill, doing much of the work himself. He had a great sense of humor and was a people person, who was very outgoing and easy to talk to.
In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children, Terry (Marsha) Leach of Cerro Gordo, Diana Ring of Taylors, SC, Tim (Vicki) Leach of Windsor, Ontario, Tom (Kellijo) Leach of Decatur, Jeff (Heather) Elliott of Decatur, Tracy (Doug) Hobby of Waxhaw, NC, Troy (Kimberly) Kinney of Decatur, and Jason Leach of Rochester; 24 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; niece, Brenda (Todd) Duncan; and great nephew, Austin (Destiny) Schweizer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Schweizer; brother-in-law, Charlie Schweizer; and nephew, Steven Schweizer.
Funeral services for Bill will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5 in First Baptist Church, Pana at 11 a.m. with Pastor Josh Palma and Terry Leach officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time in First Baptist Church, Pana. Burial will be Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL.
Memorials in Bill’s honor may be made to the Cerro Gordo Brethren Church or First Baptist Church in Pana and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.
www.mdfh.com

09/04/2026

Before heading out to the fair this evening stop by Kitchell park to shop our market and get all your necessities for your holiday weekend!

5:30-7

09/03/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Miss Pana Tri-County Fair - Claire Kuhn!
It was a historic night as she and her mother, Gina Eck Kuhn (Miss 1997), became the first mother and daughter to hold the title.
Other royalty includes Teen Miss Adalee Reed, Junior Miss Addelyn Winans, and Little Miss Aria Cervi.