Obituaries
Death of Rena M. Crookston
Rena M. Crookston, long time resident of Mexico, Missouri, passed away at home in Sedona, Arizona where she has lived near family for the past sixteen months. She was born in Benld, Illinois, on October 13, 1920 and died on September 30, 2011 in her sleep from natural causes. She lived independently until just the last few weeks of her life.
She is predeceased by her late husband, James A. Crookston, a former executive with A. P. Green Refactories. Dr. Crookston passed away on March 3, 1997. She is survived by her two sons, Jim and wife Sue of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and Dan and wife Paulette of Sedona, Arizona. The highlight of her life for the past 38 years were her grandchildren, Laura Deleot of Nashville, TN, Jenny Harrell of San Francisco, CA, Katie Birkholz of Denver, CO, James Crookston of Sedona, AZ, and San Francisco, CA and Shara Crookston of Toledo, OH. The last three years of her life have been filled with great joy and pleasure with the arrival of five great-grandsons, Beau, Thornton, Nolan, Xander and Clay.
Rena’s life was fulfilled with the act of doing for others. Very rarely did she focus on herself, it seemed to always be about someone else. She was very active for many years in her church, Mexico First Presbyterian Church, where she served as Elder and on many committees during her 56 years of membership. Rena was active as well in many civic activities such as PEO, the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary Board, the City Park Board and school PTA committees and fund raisers.
During the last few weeks of her life she was surrounded by family who traveled to her bedside to say goodbye. She died during the night after the last one left.
At Rena’s request her memorial will be a graveside service at Benld Cemetery in Benld, Illinois, on October 29, 2011 at 10AM where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and mother and father, Andina and Domenic Moretti.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers any remembrance be made to the Mexico First Presbyterian Church.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld, Illinois is in charge of the local 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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