Obituaries
Death of Orville Thomas Stoddard
Orville Thomas Stoddard, 94, of Joliet, Illinois, formerly of Mt. Olive, died Friday, April 8, 2016, at 1:15 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet. He was born on October 18, 1921, in Mt. Olive to the late David W. Stoddard and Florence E. Williams.
He married Elizabeth Rose Lesko on September 21, 1946, at Rectory of the Catholic Church in Carlinville. She preceded him in death on June 3, 2010. Orville attended grade school in Mt. Olive and graduated from Mt. Olive High School with the class of 1939.
Orville then enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Idaho during WWII in the American Area and the Asiatic Pacific area as a Shipfitter 2/C. He was honorably discharged on December 17, 1945, with a Philippine Liberation Asiatic Pacific Victory Ribbon with seven stars and a good conduct medal.
He retired from Don L. Dise Builders and also held positions for Peoples Furniture and Barretts Hardware, all of Joliet. He was a member of the Carpenter’s Local 916, Labor’s Local 338 and Mt. Olive VFW 5790. He cherished his family, loved his country and enjoyed spending time among God’s flowers.
He leaves behind one daughter, Connie Gossar of Shorewood, IL; one grandson, Eric Gossar of Manhattan, IL; brother, Raymond (Dorothy) Stoddard of Mt. Olive; sister-in-law, Genean Stooddard of Minooka; two brother-in-laws, William (Carol) Lesko of Belleville and Harry Lesko of Carlinville; “other daughter”, Donna Fox of New Lenox, IL; and special friends, Bob & JoAnne Benedick of Joliet.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Steven Thomas Stoddard; three brothers, Vernon Stoddard, Robert (Ann) Stoddard and Russell (Lucille) Stoddard.
Visitation services will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home in Joliet. A local visitation will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 12:00 noon until the time of the Service at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive. Funeral service will follow the visitation on Saturday, Apr. 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Union Miners Cemetery with military rites being accorded by the Mt. Olive Area Veterans. Reverend Tommy Brewer will serve as clergy. Lunch for family and friends will be held at the Ariston Café in Litchfield.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Services, 301 Veteran’s Parkway, New Lenox, IL 60451 for the benefit of his grandson Eric.
Becker & Son Funeral Home, Mt. Olive 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.
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