Fatal fire under investigation in Jasper County

NEWTON, Ill. (WTHI) – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of a fatal house fire in Newton, Illinois.

Police say the fire happened around 6 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2025 at a home located at 508 Liberty Avenue.

One woman was killed in the fire. The Jasper County Coroner identified the victim as Cynthia Sidwell, 69.

Her official cause of death remains under investigation at this time.

Cynthia Kay (Griffin) Sidwell, age 69, of Newton, Illinois, and formerly of Olney, Illinois, passed away at 7:15 PM - Sunday, April 13, 2025, at her home. Cynthia was born on June 2, 1955, in Olney, Illinois, the daughter of Henry Dewayne and Mabel K. (Varner) Griffin.

Cynthia is survived by: Children – Kevin Wyatt of Michigan; Denise Roddy of Newton, Illinois; and Buren “Scott” Sidwell of Catlin, Illinois

Siblings – Stewart Griffin of Calhoun, Illinois; Charles Griffin of Evansville, Indiana; Jean Guevara of Silver Springs, Maryland; Steven Griffin of Booneville, Missouri; Terry Workman of Clay City, Illinois; Tonya Workman of Parkersburg, Illinois

Cynthia was preceded in death by her father Henry Griffin, mother Mabel Workman, son Jeremy Sidwell, grandmother Irene Followell, siblings Tammy Workman and Henry Dean Griffin.

Private family services will be held.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Olney, Illinois. 

Meyer Funeral Home, Olney, IL