Obituaries
Death of Lance Edwin Griffel
Lance Edwin Griffel, 36, of Peoria formerly of Carlinville, passed away Saturday evening, June 14, 2014 at OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL. Lance was born July 20, 1977, in Springfield, IL, a son of Edwin L. and JuDee Miller Griffel.
Lance graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1995 and then received his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. Lance was a manufacturing engineer for Caterpillar in Peoria for 3 years and Decatur for 4 years and a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.
He enjoyed fishing, weight lifting, family, being outdoors and had a love for animals. He was a wonderful son, amazing brother and a best friend who was always loyal to his family and friends. Lance had an amazing smile and was very laid back with an easy going spirit and loved life with few worries.
Growing up, Lance was always into electronics. If he took it apart, he could put it back together and if it was broken, he could fix it. Lance was very driven and was always eager to learn new things. His animals were part of who he was. His dog, Max, and cat, Boots, meant the world to him.
Surviving are his parents, Ed L. and JuDee Griffel; brother, Greg (Jodi) Griffel of Carlinville, IL; sister, Jessica (Jess) Gilpin of Carlinville, IL; nephews, Jacob and Jordan Griffel and Mason and Peyton Gilpin; uncles Bill (Nancy) Griffel of Fort Dodge, IA and Richard (Janet) Griffel of Carlinville, as well as several cousins
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville, IL. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Carlinville, IL with Reverend Kevin Strope officiating. Burial will follow at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery in Carlinville, IL.
Memorials may be made to Macoupin County T.A.I.L.S.
Davis Anderson Funeral Home is 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.
