Obituaries
Death of Charles D. “Bud” Hicks
Charles D. “Bud” Hicks, 72, of Carlinville, passed away Saturday morning, August 16, 2014 at Heritage Manor in Carlinville.He was born on February 26, 1942, to Dewey and Kathleen (McCann) Hicks in White Hall, IL.
He attended school at White Hall and served his country in the early 60’s in the U.S Army. He worked as a custodian for the Macoupin County Courthouse. On March 3, 1990, he married Sandra Garrett in Carlinville.
Bud loved being with his grandchildren and playing with his great-grandchildren. He enjoyed camping with his wife, Sandy, and friends.
He is survived by his wife Sandra; three daughters: Sheila Stokes (Robert Eskew) of Carlinville, Kathy Gooding (Rick) of Carlinville, and Amy Niehaus of Chatham, Illinois; son, Tommy Cunningham of Medora; four granddaughters: Samantha Stokes, Krista Gooding, Kamryn Gooding, and Alexa Layton; three grandsons: Jered Niehaus, Justin Niehaus, and Josh Niehaus; two great-grandsons: Keaton Vaughn and Oliver Saffell; great-granddaughter, Mylee Niehaus; two sisters: Wendy Anderson of Virden and Karen Million of Jacksonville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents, Dewey and Kathleen Hicks; 2 brothers, Gene and Noel Hicks.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2014, 2:00 p.m. at the Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Carlinville, IL with Robert Taylor, officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friend after the service at the Carlinville Moose Lodge 1216. There will be no visitation prior to the service.
Memorials are suggested to the Heritage Manor – Activity or Therapy Department. Davis Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
There are plenty of ways to keep up on BenGil news:
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter
Follow us on Twitter for the fastest breaking news updates and score updates
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
