Obituaries
Death of John Thomas Watson
John Thomas Watson, 73, of Gillespie, passed away peacefully with his loving family around him at Taylorville Memorial Hospital at 7:25 pm on June 6, 2012. He was born November 30, 1938 at home. He was the son of Robert S. Watson and Sarah Hastings (Trainer) Watson.
He married Dee Ann McMillan on December 12, 1959 at the United Methodist Church in Gillespie. They celebrated a wonderful 50th anniversary party in 2009. He was a lifelong resident of Gillespie. He retired from Monterey Coal Company in 1997 and was a member of the UMWA. He was a Gillespie Volunteer Fireman, retiring after 21 years of service.
A member of the United Methodist Church and served on many committees in the past as well as receiving his Lay speaker certificate. He was a little league coach, enjoyed horseshoes, bowling, mountain man rendezvous, NASCAR, baseball, golfing, reading, dancing and vegetable gardening.
John’s talents included stained glass, woodworking and was an all around handyman. John was a kind, loving, and very generous son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will definitely be missed by his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Robert, Jim, Sam and Donald (who died in infancy).
John is survived by his wife Dee Ann, son John and daughter in law Rebecca, granddaughter Aubrey, grandson Taylor, great grandson Gage all of Gillespie; brothers and sister in laws, Alan and Carol St. Cin of Gillespie, Robert and Marilyn McMillan of Edwardsville, Bea Watson of Carlinville and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL.
Funeral services will be on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL at 1:30 pm with Rev. Dennis Hill officiating. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Gillespie Fire Department or American Diabetes Association.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com.
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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.
