Obituaries
Death of Midge Irene Weatherford
Midge Irene Weatherford, 83, of Litchfield, passed away Monday, October 23, 2023, at 4:25 p.m. at her residence. Midge was born October 29, 1939, In Nokomis, a daughter of Lester and Estell LaVeda (Sanders) Hicks. She married Donald “Bill” Jacobs, but later divorced. Later Midge and Russell Dean “Feathers” Weatherford were married. They also divorced.
Mrs. Weatherford worked for Bailey & Associates as an office clerk in her younger years. Besides spending time with the family, she loved so dearly, Midge enjoyed the outdoors while camping and fishing. She was also an avid Kansas City Chiefs Fan.
Midge was preceded in death by both her parents, her brother Elmer Hicks, and two grandchildren, Amanda Amos and Dustin Trimble.
She is survived by her daughters, Vicki Friesland, Brenda Haines, and Dena Bryant, all of Litchfield. Along with her sister-in-law, Sandy Hicks, her grandchildren, Toni (Robert) Lowenthal, Colt Trimble, Jacob Amos, Angela (Joshua and Bobbie) Odorizzi, Courtney Massey, and Carly (Justin) Knuth. Midge has great-grandchildren, Breanna, Ryliegh, and Hoyt Trimble, AshLynn (Drew) Fritz, Taylor, Tabby, Colson, Laney, and Silas Trimble, Tristan and LaVeda Noel Gauen, Jayden, Faylynn, Luna, and Jack Amos, Susan Odorizzi, Teddy, Beau, Marleigh, and Corbyn Massey, and Brickson Knuth, and great-great-great-grandchildren, Kyson, Ayden, and Corbyn Fritz, and LaVeda Antonia Gauen surviving. Mrs. Weatherford and her family are also fortunate to have such close friends that they consider family, Beth Law, Mike (Misty) Tooley, Emily Tooley and her daughter Zara, Seth Tooley, Tony (Nicole) Law, and Jake (Kim) Law, that also survive.
Funeral services for Midge Weatherford will be Friday, October 27, 2023, starting at 12:00 Noon, at Plummer Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, October 27, from 10:00 am until the start of the services. She will be laid to rest in Elm Lawn Cemetery. The family has requested any memorials to be made out to Montgomery County Cancer Association.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield 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.
