Obituaries
Death of Marilucille Bednar
In the company of her husband and children, Marilucille Bednar completed her life’s work Sunday, October 2, 2011. Born December 24, 1929, she was the only child of Frank and Mary (Corgiat) Tannette. Married to John Bednar September 2, 1950, this “beautiful person” and her “old grouch” enjoyed more than 61 years of marriage.
Preceding Marilucille in death were her parents as well as sons, Michael and John Franklin (Johnny) in infancy. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her husband John, children Susan (Mike) Horton, Amy (Tim) Claxton, Leslie (Mark) Hendrickson and Tim (Danae) Bednar.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Jeanne (Daniel) Lawler, Geoffrey (Christine) Folkers, Jason Packard, Katie (Jarrod) Lewis, Addie Bednar, Sam Hendrickson and Alexandra Bednar. Marilucille’s great-grandchildren are Luke and Jacob Lawler and Brayden and Chesney Folkers. Living the first half in Benld, Il and the second in Troy, Il.
Marilucille was a life of service. To her family she was a loving wife and mother as well as a devoted daughter. To her friends she was true and with her fellow parishioners she was a faithful member of the church. Marilucille studied nursing at DePaul Hospital in St Louis and worked as an x-ray technician at St Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Community Memorial Hospital in Staunton and St Joseph’s Hospital in Highland. She was a member of St Jerome’s Catholic Church in Troy, St Ann’s Altar Society and an active volunteer for the Tri-Township Public Library district.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Troy, IL from 5pm to 7pm and Thursday, October 6, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld, IL from noon until the time of services.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Church in Benld, IL at 1pm with Fr. Pat Jakel officiating. Burial will be at Benld Cemetery, Benld, IL. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Troy, IL.
Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com.
Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the 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.
