Rex L. Brown, 86, died on September 10, 2017. He was born on October 3, 1930 in Harvel, IL, the son of Loyd and Helen Sanders Brown. Rex is survived by his wife Marilyn M., with whom he enjoyed 67 years of blissful marriage and their 4 children: Bruce (Marilyn K.), Cynthia Zimdar (Bill), Britt (Laurie) and Brad (Michelle), 10 Grandchildren, 7 Great-Grandchildren, sister Sharon Rose Bright, and sister-in-law Sue Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Max, sister Carole Ann and Step-mother Helen Martin Brown.

As a youth, Rex helped run his family grain farm, cattle ranch and Brown’s Grocery. They also ran a chicken production operation during WWII. Rex attended Knox College, graduated from Illinois State University and the University of Illinois Law School. While in college, he was a butcher, bartender, sports official, newspaper reporter, and photographer. Upon graduation from U of I Law School in 1957, Rex moved his family to Decatur to practice law. He was the senior partner at Brown, Hawkins & Basola, and had several distinguished lawyers in his firm throughout the years. He was loved by his thousands of clients, many of whom became friends.

Honorable Richard E. Scott, 76 years of age, died 31 July 2017 at home. He was a former resident circuit judge of Edgar County. 

Mr. Scott was born 5 May 1941, the son of C.E. Scott and Mary (McCarthy) Fitzgerald Scott. He was married to Katherine Miller Scott, who predeceased him on 2 May 1992. He then married Margaret A. Brecht, who survives. 

Mr. Scott graduated from Paris High School in 1959. After graduation from the University of Illinois Law School in 1966 and successfully completing the bar exam, Mr. Scott entered the United States Air Force through the Officer Training School and served until October of 1970. 

Upon leaving the military, he became affiliated with the Model Circuit State’s Attorney Project in Bloomington, Illinois. He was appointed Associate Circuit Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in April 1972. When Judge Carl Lund was elected to the Fourth District Appellate Court, Judge Scott was appointed to the office of resident circuit judge (Edgar County) for the Fifth Judicial Circuit effective 3 December 1986. He was then elected to that position in 1988, serving until his retirement in December of 2000. He was recalled to active judge status in March 2008, and retired again in July of 2010. Mr. Scott was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Illinois State Bar Association, St. Mary’s Cemetery Board, and St. Mary’s Finance Board. 

A ceremony was held last Friday, August 4, dedicating the Vermilion County Courthouse in the name of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman, who began her judicial career in as an associate judge there. Earlier this year, the Vermilion County board voted to rename the building to honor Garman's achievements and years of service. Hon. Russell Hartigan, ISBA president, attended.

Hon. Craig H. DeArmond, Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, has been assigned as an Appellate Court Justice in the Fourth Judicial District. The assignment  takes effect on September 1, 2017, and will continue until further order of the Court.

"I am pleased to announce the assignment of Judge Craig DeArmond to the Fourth District Appellate Court. Judge DeArmond has many years of experience that have amply prepared him for the work of the appellate court," Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman said. "His background includes eight years as Vermilion County State’s Attorney and several years in private practice representing criminal defendants and clients in civil matters. He was elected in 2015 to serve as Chief Judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Judge DeArmond has served on the Supreme Court Committee on Education for several years and is a frequent presenter at judicial education programs. He will make a fine addition to the appellate court."