Obituaries
Death of Alexis Ann Wernsing
Alexis Ann Wernsing, 40 of Litchfield, passed away on October 1, 2015, in her home. She was born at St. Francis Hospital on May 10, 1975. She attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Litchfield High School in May of 1994, then graduated from Lincoln Land Community College on May 13, 2011, with an associate degree in Arts with honors. She was the commencement speaker for her graduation at LLCC.
She had done student teaching the past three summers at Lincoln Land Community College and was currently attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign pursuing a degree in art history. One of her happiest moments was when she received her letter of acceptance from the U of I. She was a resident at Nugent Hall for the past four years.
Alexis served on the Director’s Student Advisory Council at Beckwith Residential Support Services and was a recipient of the Chez Family Foundation Scholarship for the past two years plus the Urbana-Champaign Business Women’s Club Scholarship. She furthered her teaching experience by serving as a teacher’s assistant for Dr. Deana McDonagh.
She was currently working with Dr. McDonagh on designing and building a voice amplifier called AmpliMy and received a $10,000 Illinois Proof-of-Concept award from the U of I Office of Technology Management to develop and test the device for a U.S. patent.
She enjoyed her friends on Facebook and by texting, as her means of communication. She loved and adored her two nephews, especially playing Uno with them. Her favorite pet was Heinrich, her dachshund, who frequently sat on her lap and rode on the Weiner taxi. She was a great fan of the St. Louis Blues hockey team and frequently attended games with her family. She was a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield where she was active in the Ladies Aid.
Alexis is survived by her parents, Edwin “Big Ed” and Patricia (Beeler) Wernsing of Litchfield; her brother Douglas and wife Michelle (Leefers); two nephews Landon Paul and Carter Dean; her grandmother, Lucille Beeler (Gronewald) of Hillsboro; her godparents, Darrel and Karen Wernsing of Mt. Pulaski; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Her families at LLCC in Springfield and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also survive her.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Ralph Beeler and her paternal grandparents, Burrell and Melvina Wernsing.
Alexis paved the way for many handicapped people, but she is remembered as facing life as normally as possible. She had a tremendous faith in God and witnessed daily. She served the Lord well.
Visitation services will be held Friday, October 9, 2015, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.
The family suggests memorials be made to the LLCC Foundation or to INAD, in honor of Grace Herschelman, or to the donor’s choice.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Grace “Sally” Agnes Schuerman, 74 of Nokomis, passed away at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, MO on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:49 pm. She was born on December 28, 1951, in Hillsboro to the late John Whitlow and Agnes Haggarty Whitlow.
She married James Schuerman on June 7, 1975 in Decatur. She worked as a dietician, home health aide and cook. James and Sally were foster parents to many children over the years. She loved horses and her grandkids.
She is survived by her children, April Balestri (James) of Eagarville, Cris “Bill” Schuerman of Nokomis, and Crystal (Greg) Linton of Aldrich, MO; daughter in law, Kasey Schuerman; grandchildren, Paul Balestri, Gracelynn Balestri, Hunter Schuerman, and Andy Linton; brother, Guy (Norma) Whitlow of Nokomis; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; son, Charles Schuerman; sister, Rosemary (Rosie) Hopwood; brother, Sam Whitlow; and niece, Kathy Whitlow.
No services are scheduled at this time. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Paul F. Madden, 61 of Gillespie, died at his residence on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10:08 pm. He was born on September 27, 1964, in Litchfield to John Patrick Madden and Barbara Ann (Resnik) Madden Sawyer.
He married Elizabeth Ann (Morland) Madden on June 5, 2015 in Forsyth, IL. He was a sales manager in the equipment manufacturing industry. Paul was a huge golfer who also enjoyed music, playing the guitar, riding his bike, walking his dog, running and traveling.
He is survived by his spouse, Elizabeth Ann (Morland) Madden of Gillespie; daughter, Colleen (Ryan) Cash of Carlinville; step daughter, Zoey Mayo of Gillespie; brothers, John P (Betsy) Madden of St. Paul, MN, Timothy J. (Anne) Madden of Lemont, IL, and David W. (Sarah) Madden of Urbana, IL; and step father, George Sawyer of Gillespie.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark D. Madden.
Friends may call on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie, IL.
Memorials are suggested to Partnership For Educational Excellence District #7, BJC Hospice or Siteman Cancer Center. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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