Obituaries
Death of Joyce D. (White) Ashby
Joyce D. (White) Ashby, age 99 years, a resident of rural Golconda, passed away Friay morning, November 10, 2023, at 1:00 am at her home. Joyce was born February 1, 1924, in the Cottage Grove community in Saline County. She was the daughter of Isaac E. and Anna (Rehm) White.
Joyce was united in marriage to Colonel Leland Ashby, Jr in 1944, at the First United Methodist Church in Eldorado. He preceded her in death on October 4, 2002.
Survivors include – several nieces and nephews and a longtime dear friend, Barbra Studley of Vienna.
In addition to her parents and husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Douglas Ashby; a grandson, Chad Ashby; as well as brothers and sisters.
Joyce was a member of the graduating class of 1942 from Equality High School. She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois. Joyce was a lifelong educator. She taught elementary education at Bunker Hill and Gillespie until her retirement. Following her retirement, Joyce continued her love of education by serving as a volunteer tutor in the Pope County School System.
Joyce was very community minded. She served as an American Red Cross volunteer. Joyce was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and locally attended the meetings of the Pope County Retired Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Joyce, along with her husband, operated the Pine Meadows Christmas tree farm in rural Pope County for many years.
In her spare time, Joyce enjoyed reading, flower gardening, and she particularly enjoyed raising daylilies, as well as watching classic western television programs and movies. Joyce was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Golconda.
Visitation will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, November 14, 2023, from 3:00 pm until 5 pm at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Following the time of visitation, there will be a prayer service led by Elder Janet Proctor. Private interment will be held at a later date in Camp Butler Cemetery in Springfield.
Memorials may be made to the Pope County Community High School (Scholarship fund). To share a memory of Joyce or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.baileyfh.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
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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.
