The Obituary Section

Mitchell Joseph Tapscott

, Illinois

Mitchell Joseph Tapscott, 20, of Franklin, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at his home.He was born Sept. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, the son of Matthew W. and Heather L. Tapscott.He is survived by his parents, Matt and Heather Tapscott of Franklin; two sisters, Brooke (Trent) Hipkins-Horney of Jacksonville and Sydney Tapscott of Quincy; paternal grandparents, Sue Tapscott of Jacksonville and Joseph (Susan) Tapscott of Jacksonville; maternal grandmother, Pamela Turner of Franklin; four uncles, Lucas (Amy) Tapscott of Jacksonville, Nicholas (Sarah) Tapscott of Springfield, Joshua Rooney (companion Kayla Knox) of Jacksonville and Cody (Christina) Miller of Jacksonville; his great uncle, David L. Tapscott of Springfield; his nephew Jace Hipkins-Phillips; and several cousins, Adisyn Tapscott, Lynley Tapscott, Brennan Tapscott, Clayton Sexton, Abby Casey, Hailey Casey, and Morgan and River Miller. He was preceded in death by his sister, Morgan (Hipkins) Coop.Mitchell graduated from Franklin High School in 2024 with high honors.…

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James Cook

, Illinois

James Cook passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, in Melbourne, Florida, where he and his wife of almost 61 years, Jean, had made their home since moving there in 2020.Jim was surrounded by the people he dearly loved and was so very proud of—his children, Dan, Phil, and Amy; his son-in-law and beloved son in our family, Walt; his granddaughter, Eden; his sister, Jane Crowley; Todd Garner, a truly special family friend whom he considered an adopted son; and his deeply cherished wife, Jean. They were all with him and saw him through the final days of his illness.There were many, many tears shed, but ultimately, they were tears of joy. Jim is no longer in pain. He can hear, talk, and walk again—all the things he had been unable to do in recent years.Jim was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, on March 3, 1942, to Raymond and Jaunita Cook.…

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