Obituaries
Death of Dolores Marie “Pete” Niehaus
Dolores Marie “Pete” Niehaus, 88, of Litchfield died Thursday, January 7, 2016, at her residence. She was born on September 20, 1927, in Litichfield to the late Arthur Schultz and Hilda Fritzsche. She married Eugene Frank “Jeep” Niehaus on March 17, 1946, on Niehaus Family Farm in Litchfield. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2007.
She attended Hornsby Country School and Trinity Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Dolores was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive. She worked at Brown Shoe Factory and helped her husband on the family farm.
Dolores loved playing pinochle, lawn mowing and enjoying her home, wildlife and flowers, but mostly enjoyed getting together with family.
She leaves behind three sons, Ronald (Peggy) Niehaus of Litchfield, Gary (Holly) Niehaus of Gillespie and Dennis (Beth) Niehaus of Butler; daughter, Brenda (Dennis) Cline of Litchfield; 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and husband; daughter, Doris Jean Niehaus; brother, William Schultz; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation services will take place on Monday, January 11, 2016, from 5 to 8:00 p.m. at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive. Funeral service will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 11:00 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Litchfield. Reverend Art Romer will be in charge of the services.
Lunch for family and friends will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church served by the ladies of the church. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Becker and Son 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.
