ABOUT US

ABOUT US

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. Parkers 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.

Phil is one of the owners of United Fuel and helps deliver fuel
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 is one of the owners of United Fuel and helps provide amazing customer service
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.

our Staff 

Chris is knowledgeable in all things fuel from biofuel, to diesel, to kerosene, to Sunoco racing fuel, RV gas, lubricants, motor oil and more
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 helps us keep our accounting and payment systems fast to provide amazing customer suppoert
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 she 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.

This is one of our delivery drivers
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.
One of our amazing drivers that helps us deliver fuel
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.
George Washington is one of our delivery drivers who helps us bring dyed diesel fuel in Counties like Champaign, Piatt, and Ford

George Washington

Fuel Transportation

George has been with United Fuel since May of 2022, delivering fuel to surrounding counties like Vermilion county, Piatt county, & Champaign County. He graduated top of his class in the fall of 2022 from the Parkland College Driver’s Training Course. He has his CDL license with a Haz Mat certification. He won the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year Award in 2022. He is the Head Women’s Track Coach, and Head Men’s and Women’s Sprints Jumps Coach. He is also an RTHS graduate. His full name is George Albert Washington IV. He is also the founder and head coach for the Rantoul Rockets Youth Track Team. It is an AAU travel track club, and they have competed in 3 different Junior Olympics competitions.

Poppy helps keep morale high when we deliver biofuel in Central Illinois

Poppy the Pup

Warehouse Manager

Poppy the Pup 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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536 N. Ohio Ave.

Rantoul, IL 61866

P.O. Box 938