After more than 150 years of continuous publication, the Delavan Times has printed its final edition. The Wednesday, December 17, 2025, issue marked the end of a storied legacy for one of Illinois’ longest-running weekly newspapers.

Sandra Larimore-Denman, Editor and Publisher of the Times, announced the decision to retire and cease publication, closing a chapter that spans generations of her family’s stewardship. Denman succeeded her mother, Ruth Arnold Larimore, in 1998. Ruth herself had reclaimed the paper in 1963, continuing the work of her father, J. Ross Arnold, who purchased the Times in 1928.

The Delavan Times traces its roots back to 1874, serving as a steadfast voice for the community through wars, economic shifts, and the evolution of local journalism. For decades, it chronicled the lives of Delavan residents, reported on civic milestones, and provided a platform for community dialogue.

The closure reflects broader challenges facing local journalism nationwide, where family-owned papers struggle against rising costs, declining advertising revenue, and the digital transformation of news consumption.

For Delavan, the loss of the Times is more than the end of a publication—it is the closing of a cultural institution. Generations of readers grew up with the weekly ritual of the paper arriving on doorsteps, carrying stories of school events, church suppers, civic debates, and the everyday triumphs and trials of small-town life.

Community leaders expressed gratitude for the decades of service. “The Times was the heartbeat of Delavan,” said one longtime resident. “It kept us connected, informed, and proud of our town.”

As the presses fall silent, the legacy of the Delavan Times endures in the memories of its readers and the archives that preserve its voice. For nearly a century and a half, the paper stood as a testament to the power of local journalism—and to the dedication of the Arnold, Larimore, and Denman families who carried it forward.

Editor’s Note

The Delavan Dispatch extends its deepest gratitude to the Arnold, Larimore, and Denman families for their extraordinary dedication to keeping Delavan informed across generations. Their stewardship of the Delavan Times enriched our community immeasurably. Delavan was—and will remain—considerably better off for their commitment to local journalism.