Pana News Palladium

06/03/2026

05/30/2026

Susan E. King, 71, of Pana passed away Thursday, May 28, 2026 in her home. She was born July 2, 1954 in Pana, Illinois to the late Harold G. and Berdina (Kloever) Slayback. Susan married Stanley King on June 30, 1978 in Pana. He preceded her in death on January 6, 2019.

Susan was a graduate of Pana High School Class of 1972. She had worked for the TSA, retiring from the Springfield Airport and was a member of the United in Faith Church, Pana. She enjoyed riding motorcycles and yard work, and loved the ocean, her family, and God.

Susan is survived by her children, Robyn Foster (Nathan Smith) of Pana, Corey King of Pana, Chase King (Kelly Adams) of Pana; grandchildren, Miranda Bratcher, Ethan Foster, Ryan Foster, Jordan King, Alexis King, Aleigha King, Shakira King, Ryker King, Taylor Adams, and Vann Dowdy; great-granddaughter, Macie Bratcher; siblings, Gary Slayback of Pana, Tera (Darrell) Stremming of Pana, Erika Slayback of Pana; brother-in-law, Jimmy King; and sister-in-law, Tina Evans.
She was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Liam Michael Adams; and brother, Larry Slayback.

Per Susan’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorials in Susan’s honor may be made to Christian County Animal Control or donor’s choice and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.
www.mdfh.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

05/29/2026

🇺🇸 John A. Eilers, 95, passed away May 27, 2026 in his home, with family by his side. He was born April 14, 1931 in Rosamond, Illinois. He joined the Navy in 1951, returning home to farm in 1956. He farmed most of his life, and worked for Taylor Gas and Heritage Manor in the winter. He married Barbara Oller Etchison on May 29, 1976. They were married for 50 years.

John was very creative. He liked to build, take apart, and invent things. During his farming years, John invented several items that could be used on the farm. he was featured in Progressive Farmer magazine several times. He enjoyed all kinds of vehicles. He liked and had motorcycles, dirt bikes, four-wheelers, go-karts, cars, boats, snowmobiles, rat rods, and planes. He built and flew ultra-light planes. These were his favorite. He also loved music. He built and played a dulcimer and also played the accordion, bass, and keyboards.

John had two sons, Lee (Chris) and Mark (Sharrie) by a previous marriage. He had three step-daughters, DeeAnn Carroll, Joni Etchison, and Nancy (Martin) Stupek. He had two grandsons, Scott (Chrissy) Eilers and Brian (Cassie) Eilers; five great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Lee; and daughters-in-law, Chris Eilers and Sharrie Eilers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Bertha Fikan Eilers; sisters, Mary Barding and Bernita Funk Darst; and son, Mark Eilers.

John loved life, his family, and his many friends. Per John's wishes, he will be cremated. No services are planned at this time. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, Pana Community Hospital, or Quad County Health.

05/26/2026

At Save a Lot!

05/26/2026

STUPEK RETIRES FROM TCCU

Al Stupek, Vice President and Branch Manager of Taylorville Community Credit Union Pana, will retire on May 29. His retirement brings to a close a 46-year career in financial services, the last seven of these with Taylorville Community Credit Union.

TCCU invites all community members to come out and wish Al Stupek a happy retirement at TCCU Pana on Friday, May 29, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m

According to TCCU President, Will Perkins, Stupek was instrumental in establishing the credit union in the Pana community. “It was Al’s responsibility to set up and manage the Pana office, and to hire an experienced staff that knows and loves the Pana community,” Perkins explains. “He did so admirably, quickly positioning the Pana office as the fastest growing branch within the TCCU family.

“One of Al’s strengths was his deep knowledge of the greater Pana community as well as his previous decades-long experience in financial services. I have the utmost respect for Al and his work ethic He has impacted so many lives through his years in banking as well as coaching youth sports,” Perkins says.“He is a known and respected figure in Pana and was able to parlay that into near-instant success in growing the Pana branch.”

Stupek points out that one thing he is most proud of throughout his 46-year career in financial services is “the opportunity to play a significant role in helping people make their dreams come true. Whether it was a new car or home, helping them with unexpected emergencies or just with everyday needs, I know I made a difference. And people appreciate that.

“During my years with TCCU, I am very proud of helping develop and open the Pana branch. We worked from the ground up, first operating seven years ago from a small office in a converted house to designing and building the beautiful branch facility at 101 E. Fifth Street.

“Will Perkins entrusted me with the development and staffing of this branch and I did my best to make it a success, not only for TCCU as a whole, but for the people and the community of Pana. It always comes back to the people.”

“Al has been invaluable to TCCU as a whole,” Perkins says. “His skills as a loan officer, as personnel manager and simply as a great person, are exactly what our Pana branch needed in a leader,” Perkins says. “I have known Al since he was my freshman football coach. It has truly been a pleasure working with him over the years. He is someone who has made our community, the credit union, and every other organization he has been involved with better.

“TCCU believes strongly in community involvement, and there isn’t a better example of this than Al Stupek.”
Stupek is a long-time resident of Pana, and has been active in many local organizations, including the Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, the Pana Sports Foundation and the Pana Education Foundation, among others. He plans to continue such involvement as he adapts to the slower pace of retirement.

TCCU is a not-for-profit financial institution whose membership is open to anyone who lives or works within the tri-county area of Christian, Shelby and Montgomery counties.