Assumption Golden Prairie News

10/21/2026

10/19/2026

Tricia Deann Schmahl, 56, of Moweaqua, formerly of Macon, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026 in her home. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and an infectious positive attitude.
Private graveside services will be officiated by Rev. Wally Carlson and held in Macon Cemetery, Macon, IL. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nove. 7 at the Macon Community Center. Memorials may be made to Kerby Strong Foundation.
Tricia was born on June 26, 1970, in Decatur, IL the daughter of Wayne M. and Dixie Jo (Damery) Schmahl. Tricia graduated from Macon High School, Class of 1988. She proudly supported her peers on the track team as the team statistician and thoroughly enjoyed welcoming fans at the admissions table during all school events. An avid sports enthusiast, Tricia spent her life passionately cheering for her beloved Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs, alongside closely following college football and basketball. Her love for sports blossomed early in life, spent watching her Uncle Kerby race at the Macon Speedway.
Affectionately known as the family’s "trivia queen," Tricia possessed an uncanny ability to recall historical family and movie facts and details. She found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, including reading, solving word search puzzles, and immersing herself in Disney and Hallmark movies. She was also a dedicated collector, curating an extensive collection of clowns and Precious Moments figurines over the years.
Above all, Tricia’s heart belonged to her family. She was always the first to volunteer to babysit, dedicating her time not only to her nieces and nephews but to her cousins as well. Her nieces and nephews brought her tremendous joy, holding a deeply special place in her heart. Tricia will be forever remembered for her radiant smile, her unyielding optimism, and the warmth she brought to everyone who knew her.
Surviving are her parents; Wayne and Dixie Schmahl of Moweaqua; sisters, Marti Jo (BJ) Minott of Moweaqua, and Tara (Brad) Field of Effingham; brother, Matthew (Kristy) Schmahl of Decatur; grandfather, Jesse (Ruthie) Schmahl of Decatur; and nephews, Kolton Minott of Pearl City, HI and Yeager (Hailey) Minott of Stuttgart, Germany; nieces, Lyndi (Adam) Minott-Patrick of Stuttgart, Germany, Payton Field of Effingham, and Madeline (Krysta) Hedrick of Marysville, WA; and great-nieces and nephews, Duke and Dallas Minott and Evertt and Rhys Hedrick.
Preceding her in death were her grandparents, Cecil and Esther Damery and Nancy (Baker) Schmahl Hocker; and her uncle, Kerby Damery.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Elara Caring & Hospice, Dr. Alison Bilyeu, and caregivers Dana, Whitney, Kristen, and Kate for their kindness, compassion, and loving care.
Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com

08/23/2026

🇺🇸 Bennie Dean Davidson, 94, of Assumption, died August 17, 2026 in Taylorville, IL Skilled Nursing & Rehab.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24 in Seitz Funeral Home, Assumption. A visitation will begin one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Assumption, IL. Memorials may be made to Assumption VFW Tacusah Post #6577 or the donor’s choice.

Bennie was born on December 16, 1931, in Bingham, IL, the son of Jerry and Bernice (Meyer) Davidson. After his father’s death, Bennie was raised by his mother and stepfather, Eddie Spires. He married Barbara L. Cushing on April 19, 1955, in Taylorville. She survives.

Bennie proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War and continued his commitment to service through the Assumption VFW Tacusah Post #6577 and the Assumption American Legion Post #284. He worked for Caterpillar for 35 years before retiring in 1992. He cherished his 34 years of retirement, enjoying the simple pleasures he loved most—traveling, tending to his garden, and, above all, spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara; sons, Mike Davidson of Moweaqua, Jerry (Karen) Davidson of Pana, James D. (Terry) Davidson of Ramsey, and Bill (Karen) Davidson of Bristol, TN; five grandkids; three great-grandkids; and brother-in law, Bob Hanabarger.
Preceding him in death were his parents; step-father; daughters-in-law, Cynthia Davidson and Dee Davidson; and sister, Marilyn Hanabarger.

Seitz Funeral Home, Assumption, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com

08/09/2026

Justine Marie Jackson, 67, died August 3, 2026 in HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Per the family’s wishes, there will be no services. Memorials may be made to the Tacusah Outreach Food Pantry.

Justine was born on December 23, 1958, in Taylorville, IL, the daughter of Royal J. and Norma J. (Muir) Jackson. She dedicated much of her life to caring for others, working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and as a babysitter. In her free time, Justine loved knitting and crocheting.

Surviving are her brother, Royal (Pam) Jackson of Assumption; sister, Rowena Pfeffer of Assumption; nephew, Patrick; niece, Lexi; and great-great nephews, Liam and Laz.
Justine was preceded in death by her parents.

Seitz Funeral Home, Assumption, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com

07/29/2026

Jessie Ann Fyffe, 78, of Macon, IL, died July 27, 2026, in Imboden Creek Gardens, Decatur, IL.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, August 10 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua. A visitation will be from 11 -1 prior to service time. Memorials may be made to Macon United Methodist Church or Southern Illinois Center for Independent Living or SAIL (Soyland Access to Independent Living).

Jessie was born on November 27, 1947 in Decatur, IL, the daughter of John A. and Edna Mae (Appenbrink) Carr, Jr. She was a faithful member of Macon United Methodist Church and had a passion for baking. She dedicated countless hours to serving others through the Moweaqua Food Pantry, St. Mary's Auxiliary, and as an election judge for various local precincts.

Surviving are her son, Jason (Natasha) Gautier of S. Beloit; daughter, Natalie (Adam Hartshorn) of Owensburg, IN; grandchildren, Oliver, Ophelia, Zion, and Zeb; brothers, John “Jac” Carr III and David (Ann) Carr), all of Macon; and sister, Martha Henderson of Moweaqua.

Preceding her in death are her parents and grandson, Zeke.

Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com

07/17/2026

Lawrence Edgar “Larry” Demascal, 68, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in his residence.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at Glenwood Cemetery, William Blyman Addition, in Shelbyville, with Father Pawel Augustyniak officiating. Family and friends are invited to meet at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Shelbyville on Saturday from 10-11 a.m. Memorials may be given to the National R***e Association.

Larry was born on April 19, 1958, at Fort Dix in New Jersey, the son of Joseph Edgar and Mary Bernadine (McWhorter) Demascal. Larry graduated from Assumption High School in the Class of 1976. He worked as a team leader for Graphic Packaging in Shelbyville for many years, retiring in 2020. Larry was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed shooting sports and was a member of the Windsor Gun Club and the Effingham County Sportsman’s Club. Larry was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Assumption, IL and the National R***e Association, and was a skilled woodworker.

He is survived by his brothers, Mike Demascal (Diana) of Keithville, LA and Mark Demascal (Latisha) of Atwood; aunts, Jane Evaschuk of Naperville and Mary Barnes of Joliet: and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Demascal; and sisters, Monica Demascal and Suzie Philippi.

Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com

07/15/2026

Sondra Sue Bugg, 86, of Assumption, passed away on July 13, 2026 in the Eastern Star Home, Macon, IL.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Seitz Funeral Home in Assumption. Funeral services will be held at the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Assumption on Friday, July 17 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Tom Mulch presiding. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery, Assumption. Memorials may be made to the Assumption Public Library, Central A&M Foundation or Assumption Ambulance Service.

Sondra was born on June 3, 1940 in Champaign, IL, the daughter of Kenneth and Lula Mae (Stanley) Gaskill. She was raised in Monticello, IL. After graduating from Monticello H.S., she attended Millikin University before transferring to the University of Illinois to study secondary education to become an English teacher. While at the University of Illinois, she met the love of her life, James Edward Bugg. They married on June 24, 1962 in Monticello, IL and moved to Arlington Heights where James completed is ROTC military service and Sondra taught English at Palatine High School. In 1964, they moved back to the Bugg family farm in Assumption where they raised their family of four children. While in Assumption, Sondra taught English at Blue Mound HS, Meridian HS, and Mt. Zion HS. They resided on the family farm until 2024 when they both moved to Easter Star Home in Macon. James and Sondra were happily married for 63 years. He preceded her in death on January 29, 2026.

Sondra was a dedicated member of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Assumption, serving as an Elder on the Presbyterian Session. She was also a member of the Assumption Historical Society, Assumption Optimist Club, United Presbyterian Women, Decatur Christian Women’s Connection, and her local book club. Sondra was a retired high school English teacher and former 4-H leader who found great joy in educating, mentoring, and serving others throughout her life. As an educator, she also served as the director of school plays, student council sponsor, and scholastic bowl sponsor. Other than raising her children, helping her students realize their potential was her passion.
Sondra was an avid reader and enjoyed all classic literature; especially Shakespeare. One of the highlights of her travels with James was visiting the Globe Theater in London. She also enjoyed their travels to the U.S. National Parks, Civil War battle fields, the Galapogos Islands, Machu Picchu, the Greek islands, and even an African safari. In retirement, she enjoyed nothing more than traveling with her husband.

Surviving are her sons, Todd Edward (Gina) Bugg of Bloomington, Kent Andrew (Deborah) Bugg of Lodi, WI, and Matthew James (Crystal) Bugg of Assumption; daughter, Amy Elizabeth Bugg of Omaha, NE; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Charlee Walters.
Preceding her in death were her husband, James; parents; and granddaughter, Megan Bugg.
Seitz Funeral Home, Assumption, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at

06/30/2026

Jean Evelyn Mitchell, 95, of Moweaqua, died June 28, 2026 in Randall Residence, Decatur, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday, July 2 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua. Visitation be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, Blue Mound, IL. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Moweaqua or Hands of God Hospice.

Jean was born on June 4, 1931 in Blue Mound, IL, the daughter of Wayne and Vera (Lawler) Damery. She married Billie Lee Mitchell on August 20, 1949 in Blue Mound. He preceded her in death on August 2, 2022.
Jean was a member of First United Methodist Church of Moweaqua and a former member of the Shelmaco Club.

Surviving are her children, Pam (Jerry) Nagel, Randy (Cheryl) Mitchell, and Sharon (Mike) Tintori; grandchildren, Craig (Jiraporn) Mitchell, Cole (Rachel) Mitchell, Connor (Ashlyn) Mitchell, Angelo (Ashley) Tintori, Ashley (Bryce) Damery, and Anthony (Kelsey) Tintori; and great-grandchildren, Natalie, Colin, Avery, Adyline, Audrey, Alaina, Amelia, Gianna, Dominic, Braxton, Cooper, and Conley.
Preceding her in death were her husband; parents; two sisters; and great-granddaughter, Emmie.

Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com