Obituaries
Death of John W. McMillen
John W. McMillen, 77 of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday morning, September 21, 2024, at home with his family. John was born on February 19, 1947, in Alton, the son of Vernon and Alberta (Ganz) McMillen.
John attended school in Carlinville. He married April Evans on August 2, 1968, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Carlinville. John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 21, 1966, at the age of 18. During his military service, he served two tours in Vietnam. John earned three Purple Hearts and was Honorably Discharged on April 19, 1969. After his military service, John worked several jobs before he started his career as a coal miner; Olin Ammunition Factory, LeClede Steel and Grafton Boatworks.
In 1970, John was hired to build Monterey Coal Mine in Carlinville. He then began his career as a coal miner underground and ended his career as a heavy equipment operator in February 2003 after over 32 years. John was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. In his early years, John enjoyed driving fast cars and working on his Dodge Super Bee and spending time with his brother, Terry, and good friend, Fred Cope. In 1970, John’s wife, April, bought him his first horse, Lady; and this is where his true love of horses began.
Through out the past 54 years, John has always had horses. He loved trail riding, horse camping, and traveling out west to Wyoming and Montana and riding in the mountains with his good friend, Lou Schreiter. John is a true family man. He loved his family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. John always lent a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Terry and Ronnie McMillen; father-in-law, Bris Evans; and niece, Krista Kirchner.
John is survived by his wife, April; daughter, Lori Raab; son-in-law, Craig Raab; and granddaughter, Emily Rose Raab, age 18, of Carlinville; son, Matt McMillen and granddaughter, Aubrie Elaine McMillen, age 7, of Carlinville; sister, Debbie Hudson; sister-in-law, Sandy Cramer (Doug); mother-in-law, Jean Evans of Carlinville; sister-in-laws, Dorothy Selinger of Palmyra and Karen Mitchell (David) of Conway, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 5-7 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville. Burial will follow at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Carlinville.
Memorials may be to The Land of Lincoln Honor Flights for Veterans in Springfield, Illinois. In May 2016, John went on a Honor Flight with his daughter, Lori. He had a wonderful time and would want other veterans to experience it too. 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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