ABOUT
United Fuel is a fuel and oil distributor in Central Illinois serving Champaign, Ford, Vermilion and Piatt Counties. We ensure quality, expertise, efficiency and competitive pricing. We carry diesel fuel, bio-diesel fuels, gasohol, racing fuels, kerosene, propane, and full lines of lubricants by Mobil and Champion. Overall, we are just good people to work with!
We were established in 1978 and are still going strong today. When other family-operated fuel companies have sold out to the big corporations, United Fuel still remains local and family oriented.
We’re proud to be Locally and Family owned and operated.
OUR HISTORY
1978 – 1979
Philip and Janet Warner, the owners of United Fuel, purchased their first bulk plant in 1978 in Rantoul. Phil had been working for Gale Heiser, the local Amoco jobber, when Gale decided to sell his Rantoul facility. They made the huge decision to go into business for themselves. They were supplying farmers, construction companies and homeowners with gas, diesel fuel and lubricants.
OUR HISTORY
1980 – 1984
Eventually, United Fuel expanded into propane as well. When Scott Air Force base converted their base housing to natural gas, Phil and Janet had the opportunity to remove and purchase over 200 propane tanks. This would be the beginning of their LP business. Early in 1980, Phil assembled a small group of local men and they spent the summer in Belleville, IL digging up all of the tanks and transporting them to their plant in Rantoul.
OUR HISTORY
1985 – 1991
During the 1980’s and 90’s Philip and Janet purchased several other local oil companies: Werts Oil in Sidney, Osterbur Oil out of Fithian, St. Joe Oil in St. Joseph and Magee Oil in the Hoopeston area. In 1985 they merged with Parker Oil from Mahomet and their respective companies formed United Fuel. They bought out Mr. Parker’s interest in 1991. As a result of these acquisitions, United Fuel now has four bulk plants: Rantoul, Urbana, Mahomet, Philo.
OUR HISTORY
1992 – 2002
During the late 1990’s United Fuel purchased c-stores and branched out into the retail side of the fuel industry. At one time, United Fuel was operating four c-stores in Piatt, Champaign and Vermillion Counties. However, by 2002 United Fuel made the decision to get out of the gas station business.
OUR HISTORY
PRESENT DAY
Today, United Fuel is mainly focused on their tank wagon and lubes/oil business. We supply farmers and home heating customers as far east as the Indiana border, Ford, Champaign, Vermillion and Piatt counties. Our Urbana facility has an extensive business that supplies all of the contractors who are busy developing Champaign County. 2008 marked the 30th year of business for United Fuel.
our Staff
Philip Warner
President and Owner
Philip began working in the fuel business in 1972. His family has been around the Champaign County area for over 100 years. Philip’s grandfather purchased the Warner farm from the railroad in the early 1900’s. His brothers are all local businessmen working mainly in the agricultural industry. Philip is recognized as a propane expert within the State of Illinois and has been a president of the Illinois Propane Gas Association. He is a member of several civic organizations in the community and is a trustee of St. Malachy’s Church in Rantoul.
Janet E. Warner
Vice President and Owner
Janet has worked with Philip in the company since they made their first purchase in 1978. As the business grew, she oversaw all of the bookkeeping functions and was responsible for United Fuel going from paper to computer transactions twenty years ago. She, too, is involved in many civic activities including being a Vice President of the Rantoul Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman for the Workforce Development Board and Youth Council for Champaign County.
Christopher P. Warner
Vice President
Chris Warner is the Retail Manager for United Fuel. He is responsible for the operation of the Urbana bulk plant. Chris is also the head of the motor oil and lubricant sales for United Fuel. We carry a wide range of oils and greases for use in everything from tractors to hydraulic presses. Chris has extensive knowledge in the use and application of all of these lubricants. Chris has a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Illinois State University. Chris is engaged to Roxanne and together they have four children, Lukas, Grace, Wrigley and Hannah.
Shelley M. Warner
Vice President
Shelley Warner-Craft, is the CFO for United Fuel. She has been with the company since 1996. She is a CPA, a graduate of Illinois State University and received her Master’s Degree in International Finance from the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona. Shelley is based at United Fuel’s Rantoul office where her and Janet run the bookkeeping and financial operations of the company. She and her husband, Garett, live outside of Rantoul with their three children – Caruso, Clementine and Cabott.
John Masengale
Fuel Transportation
John has been with United Fuel since 1997. United Fuel acquired the Magee Oil Company in Hoopeston, IL. John delivers fuel all over northeast Champaign and Vermillion Counties. He and his wife, Donna, have raised their kids in the Hoopeston area where John’s family has farmed for many years. John graduated from Rossville High School and has been working in the agricultural industry for 50+ years. He loves spending time watching his grandchildren, Ashley, Ellie, Tanner and Colby who compete in their favorite sports of basketball and soccer. Ashely, the eldest, just began attending the University of Illinois.
Tom Tingley
Fuel Transportation
Tom began working with United Fuel in 2004. He begins every day in Sidney and heads out from there. He can cover Rantoul, Danville, Campustown, Mahomet and be back by lunch for another load. He has a huge area to supply and has been specializing in filling large construction equipment at jobsites all over Champaign/ Urbana for many years. Tom graduated from Unity High School. Tom and his wife, Cathy, have been married for 42 years and enjoy spending as much time as possible with their grandchildren, Nathan, Taylor, Shelby, Hayden and Bradley Junior.
Roxanne Steet
Manager Budget Truck Rental
Roxanne has been managing the Avis/Budget truck office in Urbana since 2013. Roxanne is tremendous at working with the people that are renting trucks to move. As anyone knows that has moved their home and belongings before, the process can be long and stressful with a lot of logistics involved to reach your destination with your possessions intact. Roxanne’s charming personality, efficiency and knowledge of the rental process immediately lets our customers know they are in extremely capable hands. And their moving experience, at least our portion of it, will be as simple and as smooth as we can make it. Roxanne is engaged to Chris and together they have four children, Lukas, Grace, Wrigley and Hannah. There is no more enthusiastic fan in the stands cheering for her children than Roxanne. Whether it be track, baseball, basketball, swimming or tumbling she is there with a custom-made team shirt and a smile. Roxanne can be reached at 217-344-4428.
Arthur T. Cat
Warehouse Manager
Arthur T. Cat is responsible for the warehouse and ensuring the safe and efficient receipt, storage and dispatch of warehoused goods. He enjoys lounging and sitting on warm things such as keyboards and laps.
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We are a Budget Truck Provider