Obituaries
Obituary of Collin Anthony Davidson
Collin Anthony Davidson, 24 of Litchfield, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He was born in Maryville on August 12, 2000, to Thad Alan and Tonya Marie (Simmons) Davidson.
Collin was a 2018 graduate of Litchfield High School where he participated and excelled in wrestling, which he began at the age of 4. Some of his achievements include: being a three-time IESA state medalist, as well as a four-time IHSA state qualifier and state runner-up, and a prestigious member of the 100-win club earning 143 total varsity wins in his high school career. He also attended Lincoln Land Community College.
Collin was a member of Bricklayers Local #8 and employed by James G. Staat Tuckpointing. Collin was the life of the party and he enjoyed playing golf, mudding in the side by side, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Collin is survived by his parents, Thad and Tonya Davidson of Litchfield; brothers, Dolan Davidson and Brady Davidson of Litchfield; maternal grandparents, Darlene (Dee) and Theodore (Ted) Simmons Jr. of Litchfield; aunts and uncles, Shelley (Rob) Gipson of Mt. Olive, Becky (Bob) Barnes of Sanford, FL, Blaise Davidson of Litchfield, and Jake (Amy) Davidson of Palmetto, FL; cousins, Paige Simmons, Emma Gipson, Zach Barnes and family, Nathan Barnes and family, Tina Jones and family, Chance Davidson and family, Coy Davidson and family, Dalton Davidson and family, Dayton Durbin, Ty Durbin, and Chris Durbin.
Collin was preceded in death by an angel sibling; his paternal grandparents, Louie and Della Davidson; maternal great-grandparents, Anthony J. and Anna F. Leitschuh; maternal great-grandparents, Theodore Simmons Sr. and Mary Tigner; paternal great-grandparents, Harry and Dorothy Wagner; and paternal great-grandparents, Ralph and Velma Davidson.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, from 3:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. A memorial mass will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield. Fr. Daniel Willenborg will preside. Burial will follow at Crabtree Cemetery and a meal will be provided immediately after at Holy Family parish center.
Collin loved his hats, boots, and flannels, but any attire is welcome. Memorials may be directed to Litchfield Wrestling Foundation c/o Chance Davidson, 1705 N. State Street, Litchfield, IL; questions regarding LWF can call 217-313-4764. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield 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.
