Obituaries
Death of Norma Jean Sanks
Norma Jean Sanks (nee Larcker), of Gillespie, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the age of 89. She was born April 8, 1935, in Staunton to Max and Catherine Brozich Larcker.
Norma will be most remembered for her devotion to her family, her strength, and her wicked wit and sense of humor. She was a jack of all trades and worked until the age of 84. Her employment for the last 30 plus years as a dining room manager was with the Holiday Inn in Carlinville, later known as The Grand Magnuson Hotel, beginning the day they opened in 1985, until she retired in 2019. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by her children, Arlin (Nancy) Cunningham of Brighton, Dianna (Chuck) Sheets of Naperville, Rodney (Ann) Cunningham of Gillespie, 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and siblings, Kay (Alan) Forbes of Florida, Carol Downing of Alton, Georgia Ribes of Benld, and Tony Ribes of Gillespie. Norma was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law, Alvera and Arlin Armour, and brother-in-law, Kevin Downing.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm, with memorial services to follow at the funeral home at 3:30 pm.
Memorials are suggested to Homers for Health (on behalf of Libby Cunningham) or Macoupin County Animal Shelter. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, is in charge of the 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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