Obituaries
Death of Rosemary Baker
Rosemary Baker, 89, of Bunker Hill, IL, died at her residence on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 9:20 p.m. She was born on January 30, 1926, in New Berlin, IL to Joseph Clarence Gentry and Beulah Marcella (Disney). She married Henry W. Baker in Bunker Hill in 1955. He preceded her in death on June 17, 2007.
She was a homemaker and served in the Civil Air Patrol. Rosemary enjoyed gardening and helping raise money for muscular dystrophy. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Bunker Hill.
She is survived by her two children, Linda Yvonne (Dennis) Scurlock of Walnut Hill and Kathleen Annette Baker of Weldon Spring, MO; sibling, Joseph William Gentry of Godfrey; grandchildren, Alisha Goodman (John) of Carlinville, Jessica (Mark) Meyer of West Palmetto Point, FL, Nathan Cathey of St Charles, MO and Matthew Cathey of O’Fallon, MO; and great-grandchildren, Blake Hubbard, Brock Goodman, Riley Anderson, Tollie Goodman and Aubrey Cathey.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, spouse; children, Ralph James Giffin, Michael Bradford Giffin and Mark Anthony Baker; and siblings, Robert Lee Gentry, Orville Wesley Gentry, Mary Kathryn Wilson and Dorothy Marie Gentry.
Visitation services will be held on Friday, November 20, 2015, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of Bunker Hill with Rev. Dale Skeesick officiating. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
Memorials are suggested to Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill 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.
