Obituaries
Death of Frances M. (Beckett) Stevens
Frances M. (Beckett) Stevens of Osage, Iowa, formerly of Carlinville, passed away Tuesday morning, September 29, 2015, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, Iowa. Frances was born on June 21, 1916, at Norwich, Iowa, a daughter of Alva D. and Louella Andrews Miller.
She married John B. Beckett on June 4, 1938 and was preceded in death by him in 2003 along with her parents, a brother; Kenneth Miller and a sister; Esther Williams. She later married Wayne Stevens May 21, 2005 and passed away in 2010.
Frances graduated from Shenandoah, IA, High School and Christian College in Columbia, MO in 1935. She taught school in Yorkton, IA, Hillview, IL and Carlinville, IL. She was a member of PEO since 1952, a life long member of the Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.
She served as choir director in two churches for sixteen years. She loved to sing and music was a very important part of her life. She was soloist in high school, college, church and community. Her husband and family were all musical and followed in her footsteps.
Frances was a teacher, mother and assistant to her husband, John, who served in many capacities in the pork industry. She was given the Elanco Bell Ringer award for services in the Illinois Macoupin County Pork Producers.
She leaves behind three daughters, Carolyn Beckett of Glen Carbon, Janet (deceased husband, Jon) Witt of Osage, IA and Judith (Dale) Bargmann, Wild Rose, WI; five grandchildren, Linda Witt Kuehne (friend Phil), Julie Witt Fuller (Tim), Alan Witt (Jill), Lisa Bargmann Ogden (Stuart) and Dennis Bargmann (Sharon); 13 great grandchildren, Bradie and Jacey Kuehne, Whitney, Hannah, Shea and Jenna Fuller, Addy, Riley, Regan, Ava and Reece Witt, Jeffery and Mark Ogden; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be held at a later date at the Hall Cemetery in Blue Mound, IL. Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.
Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville 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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