Obituaries
Death of Jennie Gucciardo Harris
Jennie Gucciardo Harris, 90, of Houston, TX, formerly of Gillespie, IL, died at Solana Vintage Park on Monday, December 22, 2014. She was born on May 29, 1924, in Wilsonville, IL to Frank Gucciardo and Catherine (Palazzola) Gucciardo.
She married James W. Harris on May 26, 1943, in Bunker Hill, IL. And he preceded her in death in 1957. Jennie had lived in Houston, TX since 1970 and retired from Foley’s Department Store in 1987 as a sales clerk.
She is survived by her daughter, Alberta H. Nickelson (Cecil); son, Frank R.Harris, Sr. (Deborah); grandchildren, James Nickelson (Becky Anderson), Susan N. Jeantete (Gabriel), Frank R. Harris, Jr (Margaret); great-grandchildren, Eliza Nickelson, Frank Corbin Harris, Isabella Harris; step great grandchildren, Colby and Tyler Henderson; great great grandchild, Kinlee Henderson; sisters in laws, Violet Gucciardo, Mary Halpin, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jennie was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, and brother, Antone Gucciardo.
Visitation services for Jennie will be on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 1:00 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie, IL with Pastor David Summerlin, founder and former pastor of The River Assembly of God, Conroe, Texas, officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Gillespie, IL.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Volunteer Fire Department or Donor’s Choice.
Jennie has been living at the Solana Assisted Living where she continued to make a difference in the lives of the staff and residents who shared memories with us of how she was always blessing them with cards and notes of encouragement. She will be missed by all. We all love you, Mom.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL is in charge of the 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
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.
Comments
