Obituaries
Death of John H. Flori
John H. Flori, 93 of Carlinville, passed away Friday afternoon, March 6, 2015, at Tremont Ridge Assisted Living in Hillsboro, IL. John was born on August 2, 1921, in Carlinville, IL, a son of Jacob Phillip and Mary (Komoros) Flori.
He joined the Navy during WWII and served from 1942 to 1946. John was a letter carrier for Carlinville Post Office for 30 years, as well as faithfully serving on the Carlinville Fire Department from 1956 until his retirement in 1996.
He was a lifelong member of Ss Mary & Joseph’s Catholic Church and enjoyed spending time at his cabin at Lake Carlinville and loved to cook, fish and squirrel hunt. He also served as a Carlinville Township Trustee for 22 years and was a member of the Carlinville Elks Lodge #1412 and the Guy Baird American Legion #554 for many years.
John is survived by his brother, Robert Flori of Chicago, IL; several nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews and great-great nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul & Bill Flori; sisters Helen Flori and Mary Volkar.
Visitation services will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Ss Mary & Joseph’s Church in Carlinville from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery in Carlinville.
Pallbearers are Jerel Loveless, Frank Link, Mike Kirk, Bill Pranger Jr., Ben Pitman and Ron Birk. Serving as honorary are Wes Loveless and Mike Rives.
Memorials may be made to Carlinville Fire Department.
Davis Anderson Funeral Homes are 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.
