Assumption Golden Prairie News

06/16/2026

🇺🇸 Edward Scott Oglesby, 65, of Tucson, AZ, died May 7, 2026 in Tucson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, IL, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to service time. A private burial will be held in Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta, IL. Full military honors will be provided. Memorials may be made to the Border Patrol Foundation www.borderpatrolfoundation.org

Edward was born on April 4, 1961 in Decatur, IL, to Paul and Dorothy (Yeoman) Oglesby. He grew up in Moweaqua, and graduated from Moweaqua High Schol in 1979. Edward went on to graduate from Western Illinois University after which he was commissioned into the U.S. Army, beginning his 29 years of service to America. He graduated from the Armor Officer Basic Course in Fort Knox, KY, and served in Germany and Fort Knox, being honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. During his Army service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Parachutist Badge.

He joined the United States Border Patrol in 1996 and served his entire 21-year career in southern Arizona in the Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector. Upon his retirement in 2018 the chief patrol agent of Tucson Sector noted that Border Patrol Agent Oglesby’s commitment as a career law enforcement officer served to improve the border environment for his country, community and area law enforcement and epitomized the Border Patrol credo “Honor First”.

Survivors include brother Paul Oglesby, sister-in-law Paula Petribu Oglesby and nieces Isabel and Victoria Oglesby, all of Decatur.
Preceding him in death were his parents and brother, John Oglesby.

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

06/08/2026

🇺🇸 Gary G. Alward, 81, of Moweaqua, died May 31, 2026 in Shelbyville Manor, Shelbyville, IL, with his family by his side.

A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 in Westside Cemetery, Moweaqua. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 14, from 1-4 p.m. at the Shelbyville VFW. We invite all who knew Gary to come share stories and memories. Memorials may be made to the Heart Transplant Association of St. Louis or Moweaqua Fireman’s Club.

Gary was born on December 10, 1944 in Decatur, IL, the son of Howard Grant and Ruth (Beery) Alward. He married Brenda Butler on August 11, 1981 in Elko, NV. She survives. Gary grew up in Shelbyville, IL and graduated from Shelbyville High School in the class of 1963. After graduation he worked at the Oliver Corporation until enlisting in the United States Army.

After returning home, Gary returned to Oliver Corporation for a time, then joined his father on the family farm in Penn Township, near Moweaqua. Gary had many talents and hobbies. He was a master mechanic and took pride in keeping the farm machinery operational. He enjoyed a hobby room where together with his son, Matt, they built many model airplanes. He was a history buff and was very well read on most of the American wars. Gary truly enjoyed watching old westerns on TV. Gunsmoke was a favorite. Gary was content to spend his time on the farm living a simple life.

Surviving are his wife, Brenda; son, Matthew Grant (Kelsey) Alward of Moweaqua; and brothers, Phillip Alward of Decatur and Bradford Alward of Moweaqua.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and sister-in-law, Vicki Alward.

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

05/29/2026

Michael Lynn Burgener, 72, of Moweaqua, died May 25, 2026 in his home surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua. A visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 29, also in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Little Flock Cemetery, Moweaqua. Memorials may be made to Moweaqua Fireman’s Club or Quad County Hospice.

Michael was born on July 28, 1953 in Decatur, IL, the son of Lawrence and LaVon (Robinson) Burgener. He married Diane Myers on April 10, 1976 in Moweaqua. She survives.

Michael was a member of First United Methodist Church of Moweaqua and a former member of the Moweaqua Lions Club. He owned and operated Burgener Trucking, a career he truly loved and took great pride in. In his spare time, Michael enjoyed Corvettes, trains, and his grandpups, but nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his granddaughters.

Surviving are his wife, Diane; daughters:,Kelly (Stephen) Gregory of Wentzville, MO and Leann (Ramiro) Estrada of Moweaqua; granddaughters, Tristen and Kora Gregory of Wentzville, MO; and brother, Larry (Sandy) Burgener of Moweaqua.
Preceding him in death were his parents.

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

05/22/2026

Merlyn Eugene “Gene” Lower, Jr., 79, of Moweaqua, died May 19, 2026 in Taylorville Memorial Hospital, Taylorville, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 25 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, with a visitation from 1-3 p.m., prior to service time. Burial in Rosemond Cemetery, Rosamond, IL will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to Moweaqua Golf Course or Moweaqua Fireman’s Club

Gene was born on August 12, 1946 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Merlyn E. and Lola L. (Rinehart) Lower, Sr. He married Joann E. Waddington on April 21, 1967 in Pana. She survives.

Gene had a lifelong passion for hot rod cars, model railroading, and golf. He was also a devoted fan of Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball. Gene graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. In 1968, he purchased Cutler Insurance, and together Gene and his wife, Joann, owned and operated Gene Lower Insurance and Real Estate for over 50 years.

Surviving are his wife, Joann; son, Roger E. (Francine) Lower of Moweaqua; daughter, Gina J. (Brook) Kemball-Cook of Friendswood, TX; grandchildren, Sidney, Lucas (Jessica), Sylvia, Savannah, and Hunter; sister, Susan (James) Bates of Baton Rouge, LA; and mother-in-law, Irma Waddington of Pana.
Preceding him in death were his parents.

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

05/19/2026

Donald Keith Wright, 91, of Moweaqua, Illinois, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, at Shelbyville Health Care Center.
Don was born March 19, 1935, in Decatur, Illinois, to Harold and Zelpha Barker Wright. He married Ruth Lockwood on March 18, 1984, and together they built a life centered around family, hard work, friendship, and community involvement.

A lifelong entrepreneur and public servant, Don spent much of his life serving the people of central Illinois in many different roles. He owned Wright’s Heating & Air Conditioning and was also involved with Ruot & Wright Contractors and R & W Body Shop. Beyond his business ventures, Don served with the Moweaqua Police Department, eventually rising to Assistant Chief of Police, worked as a Shelby County Deputy Sheriff, and later served as a Deputy Coroner for Shelby County.
Don was deeply involved in the Moweaqua community and played an instrumental role in helping establish the Moweaqua Golf Course, where he served as chairman and president. He was also a member of the Lions Club. An avid pilot who owned multiple aircraft throughout his life, Don loved flying nearly as much as he loved golf, community projects, and staying busy. Those who knew him knew he was a man who believed in getting things done. Whether building, repairing, organizing, or helping someone in need, he approached life with determination, humor, and loyalty to the people around him.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Wright of Moweaqua; children, Debra (Dean) Willenborg of Montrose, Brian (Diane) Wright of Moweaqua, Sandra (Tom) Beinert of Elkhorn, WI, and stepdaughter, Lana (Tim) Sumner of Springfield; grandchildren, Thaddeus Myers, Chad Myers, Amanda Horton, Cody Willenborg, Kyle Willenborg, Nicholas Wright, Emily Beinert, and Macy Sumner; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William Wright and Ronald Wright, his twin brother.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 20 from 5-7 p.m. at Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m., with burial to follow in Moweaqua, with bagpipes by Joe Readnour.
The family invites those attending to remember Don not only for the many titles he held throughout life, but for the countless people he helped along the way.

05/18/2026

Joan Odell Walden, 85, of Ramsey, IL, formerly of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 9:53 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Shelbyville Manor.
A memorial service was held Saturday, May 16 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Todd Ater officiating. Burial will be later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Tower Hill Christian Church.
Joan was born on December 27, 1940, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Robert Harry and Garnet Ruby Mae (Walker) Mansfield. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1959 and then Sparks Business College in Shelbyville. Joan began working as a secretary for the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville. She later worked for Dr. Larry Macon as a dental assistant, FS in Shelbyville in accounting, and retired from Risinger Brothers Transfer Company in Shelbyville as office manager. Joan was a member of Tower Hill Christian Church. She loved God and felt a closeness to God in nature.
She is survived by her children, Laurel Jean Walden of Charleston, SC, Scott Walden (Angela) of Shelbyville, and Donny Walden of Assumption; and grandchildren Brantley Walden of Assumption and Aaron Gaddis of Mattoon.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com

04/20/2026

Central A & M Kindergarten Screening will be on Wednesday, April 22 12:30-4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Moweaqua. Call Bond Primary at 217-226-4022 to make an appointment. Bring a copy of your child's original birth certificate and immunization records to the screening and registration. School registration and enrollment forms will be available for completion at screening.

04/13/2026

Gloria Irene Barnes, 78, of Moweaqua, died April 8, 2026 in HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Per Gloria’s wishes, a private burial will be held on Friday, April 24 in Masonic Cemetery, Moweaqua, IL. Memorials may be made to “The Family of Gloria Barnes” or Habitat for Humanity c/o Seitz Funeral Homes, 118 E. Main St., Moweaqua, IL 62550.

Gloria was born on February 11, 1948 in Moweaqua, IL, the daughter of Wayne and Mildred (Marshall) Barnes.

Surviving are her sisters, Marilyn Bower and Sharon Barnes, both of Moweaqua, and Sue (Earl) Kramer of Sullivan.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Bill, Aubrey and Kenny; and sisters, Mary Alice, Barbara, Yvonne, Darlene, and Kathy.

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

04/13/2026

04/06/2026

🇺🇸 Charles “Chuck” Wayne Galvin, 81, of Taylorville, IL, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his daughter, on April 2, 2026, in HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Chuck was born on September 19, 1944 in Taylorville, IL, the son of Marion and Mary (Barry) Galvin. He was affiliated with St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Assumption and St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Taylorville. Chuck belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council #2120 in Taylorville and the Pana Moose Lodge #1015. He also proudly served his country in the United States Army and spent many years working as a coal miner in Peabody Mine #10.

Chuck was a man who found his greatest joy not in things, but in people. He deeply loved his family and treasured every moment spent together, whether it was sharing stories, laughing over memories, or simply being in each other’s presence. His friendships were just as meaningful; he had a way of making those around him feel like they truly belonged.

He was a passionate fan of the New England Patriots, rarely missed a chance to cheer them on. He also loved the excitement of NASCAR and the Indy 500, especially attending many years of time trials and races, where the roar of the engines and the thrill of the track brought him to life. Chuck enjoyed spending his free time doing the things that made him smile like playing pool, golfing, and bowling. He was especially talented at playing pool and bowling, often impressing others with his skill. As for golf, Chuck would be the first to admit that his game was more about enjoying the day than perfecting his swing.

Chuck will be remembered for his love, his laughter, and the way he showed up for the people in his life. His presence brought comfort, his humor brought light, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Surviving are his daughter, Stacia Galvin-Stoeff of Springfield; grandchildren, Tharon Lynn, Zyan Stoeff and Zanden Stoeff; brother, James Galvin of Pana; sisters, Joan Beamer of Nokomis and Dorothy (Alan) McMaster of Katy, TX; former wife Diane Galvin and extended Walker/Dooley family; and former wife Kathy Galvin and extended Eson/Nation family.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Joe Galvin and Michael Galvin; brother-in-law, Lynn Beamer; and son-in-law, Matthew Stoeff.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 7 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Assumption. A visitation will begin one hour prior to service time at the Church. A private burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Family and friends are invited to join for a luncheon immediately following the church service at the Taylorville Knights of Columbus location.

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