Obituaries
Death of Bill Wiser
Bill Wiser, 70, of Carlinville passed away Thursday evening, October 30, 2014 at his residence in Carlinville, IL. Bill was born on November 20, 1943, to Melvin and Eileen (Mefford) Wiser in Hettick, IL.
He was a graduate of Carlinville High School with the class of 1961. Bill married Phyllis Cope on September 28, 1963, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville.
Bill worked for the Illinois Terminal Railroad, which later became Norfolk & Southern, as a bridge and building repairman from 1961 to retirement in 2003. He truly enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid outdoorsman. Bill also spent much of his free time woodworking, gardening and doing yard work. Most importantly, Bill was a devoted and loving husband and father of three children.
Bill is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Carlinville; two sons: William T. (companion, Tracie) Wiser, Jr. of Palmyra and Shawn (Trish) Wiser of Carlinville; daughter: Tammy (Bill) Halpin of Gillespie; 8 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; 2 step great grandchildren; brother, Dean (Bonnie) Wiser of Carlinville and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother, A.J. Wiser and a sister, Coletta Kincaid.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2014 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville, IL. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home in Carlinville with Rev. Bob Beloit officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Simmons Cancer Center for Research in Springfield, IL. Davis Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Charles M. Crays, 64 of Carlinville, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 7:50 p.m. He was born October 24, 1961, in Carlinville to Charles J. Crays and Dorothy Louise Johnston Crays. He married Darla K. Hankins Crays in Carlinville.
Charles was a longtime iron worker and retired from the trade. He was a devoted member of the Carlinville Moose Lodge and the Carlinville Masonic Lodge, and he took pride in helping others in his community.
Charles is survived by his wife, Darla Crays, of Carlinville; his stepchildren Crystal (Clint) Downs of Louisiana, Toby (Denni) Paxton of Louisiana, and Joey Paxton of Louisiana; his grandson Sawyer Downs; his brother Robert L. Crays (Lettie) of Carlinville; his sisters Linda L. Crays and Julie Ann Crays, both of Waggoner; and his nephew Matthew Crays.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Carlinville Moose Lodge, or the Carlinville Masonic Lodge. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie 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.
