Obituaries
Death of Frances May Barnes (Nee Spencer)
Frances May Barnes (Nee Spencer), 97, died October 22, 2014, at Faith Countryside Nursing Home in Highland, Illinois. She was born on August 7, 1917, in Womac, Illinois to Jesse and Mayme (Wohlert) Spencer. She married Jesse Clark Barnes on December 16, 1936, in Nilwood, Illinois. They were married 43 years until his death on July 15, 1980.
Frances spent her early years in Dorchester, Carlinville and Pekin, Illinois. After her marriage, she lived in Bunker Hill, Trenton, Highland, Sycamore, Illinois, and Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
She is survived by her children, Clark Barnes and wife Jacque of Springfield, Illinois, Cheryl Werner of Birmingham, Alabama, Marty Barnes and wife Wilma of Rogers, Arkansas, Marilae Latham and husband Mark of Highland, Illinois; her grandchildren, Courtney Barnes Warren of Houston, Texas, Brian Barnes of Springfield, Illinois, Matthew Werner and Charity Werner of Birmingham, Alabama, Shannon Barnes Terry of Russellville, Arkansas, Haley Barnes Cox of Rogers, Arkansas and Derek Latham of Highland, Illinois and 10 great-grandchildren. A sister, Mary Spencer Clark of Modesto, Illinois and a brother, Richard Spencer of Gillespie, Illinois and many nieces and nephews also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Ralph, William, and Donald Spencer; and son-in-law, Keith Werner.
Visitation will be Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill, Illinois from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014, at the Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill, Illinois at 2pm. Burial will be at the Bunker Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Highland Area Community Foundation (Garden Club or Highland Home), PO Box 571, Highland, IL 62249 or to the John Brown University Scholarship Fund, 2000 W. University Street, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.
Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill 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.
