Obituaries
Obituary of Donna Louise Spencer
Donna Louise Spencer, 78 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Friday, August 22, 2025, in Springfield. She was born in Springfield on March 25, 1947, a daughter of Odes and Mary Louise (Schleutker) Reynolds.
Donna graduated from Springfield High School with the class of 1965. She married Joseph Paul Spencer on November 15, 1969, in Springfield and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage. He survives.
Donna was a dedicated homemaker and was a stay-at-home-mom while raising her sons. She later worked for the State of Illinois as an IDOT clerk for 16 years. Donna was a member of the Plainview Baptist Church, Litchfield Moose Lodge #1634, and the Senior Achievers. She was a talented cook and baker, and well known for her sausage bread, and enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She treasured spending time with her family and friends.
Donna is survived by her husband, Joe Spencer of Litchfield; sons, Brian (Katrina) Spencer of Virden and Shane (fiancée, Jennifer Lynn Tregunna) Spencer of Lusby, MD; brothers, John (Michelle) Reynolds of Valdosta, GA and Brett (companion, Debra) Reynolds of Marco Island, FL; stepbrother, Donald Condee, II, of Marco Island, FL; sister, Janet Reynolds of TN; stepsister, Charlotte Husted of Marco Island, FL; and six grandchildren, three future grandchildren, two honorary grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Odes Reynolds and Mary Louise Condee.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond. Rev. Bill Baughman will officiate. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to two of Donna’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Litchfield Veteran’s Memorial Garden. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is serving the Spencer family.
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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.
