IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS No. 2025-PR-179 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BEULAH M. MERRELL, DECEASED. CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of BEULAH M. MERRELL. Letters of Office were issued on June 10, 2025, to Bruce A. Merrell, 20 Mills Road, Walnut Hill, IL 62893, as Independent Executor. The attorney for the representative is Jennifer W. Price of the firm of Wham & Wham Lawyers, 212 East Broadway, PO Box 549, Centralia, IL 62801. Notice is given that an Order was entered by the court on June 4, 2025, admitting the Will to probate. Within 42 days after the effective date of the original order of admission, you may file a petition with the court to require proof of the Will by testimony of the witnesses to the Will in open court or other evidence, as provided in 755 ILCS 5/6-21. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the Court at the St. Clair County Courthouse, 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220, or with the representative, or both, on or before December 13, 2025, or before the expiration of six (6) months from the first publication date of this notice, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act of l975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed (755 ILCS 5/6-21). You also have the right under 755 ILCS 5/8-1 to contest the validity of the Will by filing a Petition with the court within six (6) months after the admission of the Will to probate. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under 755 ILCS 5/28-4, any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a Petition to Terminate to the Clerk of the Court. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp, or talk with your local circuit clerk's office. BRUCE A. MERRELL, INDEPENDENT EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF BEULAH M. MERRELL, DECEASED BY: Jennifer W. Price, #6187873 IPL0241585 Jun 13,20,27 2025