Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
smile, and generous hospitality. On May 24, 1952, she married Robert E. Sabo Sr., while he was serving at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga.. Upon finishing his seminary school, Bob and Martha began their ministry in the United Methodist Church and eventually moved to Illinois. Martha served the church faith- fully alongside Robert until his passing on July 12, 2018. Her strong, unshakable faith in God provided her guidance in her daily life. Her contributions to the church community included attending women’s Bible study, providing casseroles, attending church potlucks, teaching vacation Bible school, singing in the church choir, working at the food bank, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Martha was always there to give anyone words of encouragement or a gentle smile, accom- panying Robert on hospital or home visits at any time necessary to offer love and prayers. She took great pride working in hospitals, assisting doctors in the labor and delivery unit even during the delivery of two of her grandchildren. Doctors valued Martha for her compassion and natural instincts to help things run smoothly. A true steward, her family enjoyed Martha’s ability to maintain the household keeping her children’s lives running smooth, whether it be a hot meal at dinner time, athletic uniforms cleaned and ready for game day, or simple words of encouragement. She was truly the strength, grace, and rock that her family depended on daily. Martha had a great sense of humor and resiliency that all came to admire and emulate. Most endearingly, Martha loved her sports and could rival anyone in a game of trivia regarding college sport teams. Martha will be greatly missed here on earth, but her spirit will continue to light and guide the way for those remaining to celebrate her life. Martha is survived by her son Robert E. (Barb) Sabo, Jr of Moscow Mills, Mo; four daughters: Donna Smith of Bloomington, Tammy (Todd) Popham of Crescent City, Teresa (Luis) Alvarez of London, England, Michelle (Jake) Gregory of Brookfield, Wis.; 11 grandchildren Jennifer Logsdon, Jamie Sabo, Latrisha McGehee, Sheena Kunz, Amie Watanaarepornchai, Alexandria Alvarez, Daniel Alvarez, Rodney Popham, Abigail Alva- rez, Elena Gregory, Danielle Gregory; 12 great grandchildren; a brother Alec McNeely of Atlanta, Ga., two sisters: Billie (James) Farrer of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Hazel ( Ronnie) Horseman of Augusta, Ga.; many loving nieces and nephews. Martha was preceded in death by her parents; brothers William, Frank and Calvin Talmadge; sisters Harriet, Juanita and Louise; three grandchildren: Jake Gregory, MarthaAnn Gregory, Ellen Melinda Odeh; and a great grandchild Elizabeth Butler. Martha was also proceeded by her loving husband, Robert E. Sabo Sr. They were married for 64 wonderful years. Funeral services were held March 16, 2025, at Carlinville UMC. Burial followed in the Mausoleum of Valor at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery in Carlinville.
Gary Carl Scheller 1938-2025 The Rev. Gary Carl Scheller, 86, a retired IGRC clergy member, died Jan. 24, 2025, in Highland. Rev. Scheller was born Nov. 28, 1938 in Mt. Olive, son of Carl Albert and Mable Aleta (Randle) Scheller. A 1956 graduate of Mt. Olive
High School, 1962 graduate of McKendree College and a 1966 graduate of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Gary married Patricia Ann Viehweg June 23, 1962, at the Mt. Olive Methodist Church.
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