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Death of Cecilia O. Pollo

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Cecilia O. Pollo, 89, of Benld, IL, died at Heritage Health of Gillespie on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at 4:15 a.m. She was born on April 18, 1925, in Benld, IL to Steve A. Pollo and Mary (Koniak) Pollo.

Cecilia graduated from the Benld Township High School with the class of 1943. She was employed at various jobs including the Benld Enterprise, Benld Packing Co, County Treasurer Bess Williams, Acu Rule in Mt. Olive, as well as a housekeeper at St. Michael’s Rectory in Staunton, a clerk at the grocery store for 20 years and a custodian at Community Unit School District 7 for 17.5 years.

Cecilia was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 4547 of Gillespie, St. Joseph’s Church, Altar and Rosary Society, AARP #1179, First Catholic and Slovak Ladies Association, CFU Lodge 217 of Benld, IL and a lay member of the 3rd order of St. Dominic.

She is survived by her brother, Stephen Pollo of Benld, IL; sisters, Mary Ann Pollo of Benld, IL, Monica Crouse of Benld, IL; 2 nieces; 5 nephews; and sisters in law, Dora Pollo of Lansing, MI and Dorothy Pollo of Alton, IL.

Cecilia was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Frank Andrew Pollo, Venie Pollo, Frank Anton Pollo, Benedict Pollo and Anton Pollo; sister in law, Marianna Pollo and brother in law, Everett Crouse.

Visitation services for Cecilia will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld, IL from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Funeral mass will follow at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld, IL on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Larry Auda officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie, IL.

Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph’s Church, Gillespie-Benld Ambulance Service or Adopt-A-Pet.

Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Grace “Sally” Agnes Schuerman

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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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Obituary of Paul F. Madden

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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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Obituary of Suzanne Marie Labath

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Suzanne Marie Labath, 63 of Scottsville, KY and formerly of St. Louis, MO and Gillespie passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Medical Center at Scottsville.  The Davenport, Iowa native was a homemaker, loved being a grandma, and enjoyed camping and fishing. She was a daughter of the late John H. Labath and Suzanne M. Petersen Labath.

She is survived by her husband, Ron Fritz, Scottsville, KY; son, Jason Beard, Bowling Green, KY; two daughters, Erica Beard and Jessica Allen, both of St. Louis, MO; four brothers, John Labath (Cathy), Long Grove, IA, Bill Labath, Yale, IA, Tony Labath (Judy), Greensboro, NC, and Bert Labath (Gail), Lumberton, TX; sister, Josie Labath, Davenport, IA; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Labath and Barbara Labath; four grandchildren, Anyae, Anthony and Jaleyah Allen and Jeremiah Thomas; two great grandchildren, Amaya Marshall and A’riah Beard; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Marty Labath and Pete Labath.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation was chosen and Goad Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations for funeral expenses.  Donations may be made at Goad Funeral Home.

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