Obituaries
Obituary of Brooke Elizabeth Powell
Brooke Elizabeth Powell, age 37, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, following an automobile accident in McLean County. Brooke was born in Chicago at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital, on March 17, 1987.
She was adopted by Christie and John Powell and brought home to Carlinville when she was just eight days old. Brooke graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 2005, followed by four years at Illinois State University, graduating with a degree in Ag. She worked in the field of Ag for eight years at ADM in Decatur and four years at Central Illinois Ag in Atlanta, Illinois.
Brooke’s true passion, from the time she was a little girl, was anything and everything to do with horses, which eventually led her to start her own business called Independently Equine. She offered services including teaching riding lessons, horse management, barn organization and management, professional scribing and judging, show coaching, and consulting on horse purchases.
Her mission was to aid in the positive growth of relationships between horse and rider. She used a compassionate approach to all types of learning and communication. Brooke was born with a big heart for others. She was kind, caring, fun-loving and had a great laugh, beautiful smile, and gave the best hugs. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, John; uncles, Jim Powell and Dan Curtis; and grandparents, Dot and Bob Beard and Jake and Mildred Powell.
She is survived by her mother, Chris; companion, Joe Greene; uncles and aunts, Marc Beard, Rex (Gail) Beard and Mary Curtis; as well as cousins, Geoff (Emily) Curtis, Bond (Drew) Wyman, Ryan (Sheila) Beard, and young cousins Xander, Asher, and Aria Wyman, and Robert Beard. She is also survived by a large number of extended family members. She leaves behind, too, her beloved dog, Tovi, and her two horses, Sweet Pea and Betsy. Sweet Pea has been with Brooke since she was 14 years old.
Visitation will take place Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on February 18 at the Carlinville United Methodist Church with the funeral on Wednesday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. also at CUMC. Memorials may be given to the Carlinville High School FFA, 4H, Macoupin County Animal Shelter, or Benld Adopt-A-Pet. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, LTD, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
