Obituaries
Obituary of Cassie Elaine Satterlee
Cassie Elaine Satterlee, 74 of Staunton, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights, MO. She was born on March 16, 1951, in Staunton the daughter of the late George and Ruby (Straub) Bednar. She married Gary Satterlee on March 17, 1973, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton and he passed away on May 7, 2018.
Cassie was a teacher at Zion Lutheran School in Staunton for 40 years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Staunton, a 1969 graduate of Staunton High School, and graduated from SIU-Edwardsville in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She baked cakes and cookies for many weddings and birthdays over the years, enjoyed her get-togethers with her card club, and coloring, quilting, and sewing.
She is survived by one daughter, Jennie Satterlee of Nokomis; five brothers, Leonard (Fran) Bednar of Florissant, MO, Gerald “Gary” (Vicky) Bednar of St. Charles, MO, Ron (Cheryl) Bednar of Bethalto, George (Karin) Bednar of Alton, and Richard (Katie) Bednar of Sand Springs, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Bryan Michael Satterlee; one sister, Lorraine Blotevogel; and one brother, Larry Bednar.
Visitation will be from 10 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
Memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran School in Staunton. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of 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.
