Obituaries
Obituary of Doris Elizabeth Gahr
Doris Elizabeth Gahr passed away peacefully at Lakeside Health and Rehab on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Doris was born on October 20, 1935, to Clinton and Bertha (Lampe) Caudle.
She attended Carlinville High School and graduated with the class of 1953. Doris worked at the Carlinville Area Hospital in the Medical Records Department retiring in 1997 after 42 years of service.
Doris married the love of her life, Gene Gahr, on March 29, 1958, in St. Louis, MO. They were married for 65 years and you rarely saw one without the other. They truly enjoyed spending time together. Doris was truly committed to raising her children, Matt and Leanne, and was always their biggest supporter.
Doris had a great faith in the Lord. Doris also had a great love and passion for her church, St. Paul United Church of Christ. Doris spent many hours there faithfully attending church, singing in the choir, preparing funeral dinners, cleaning and organizing, and many behind the scene jobs that are too numerous to list. The outside of the church did not escape her attention. She made sure the yard was tidy and the weeds pulled.
Doris had a great love of music and singing. She sang in St. Paul UCC choir for over 50 years. She also sang in the Carlinville Community Choir for many years.
Doris is survived by her children, Matt Gahr (Coleen) of Carlinville and Leanne Gahr of Carlinville; grandchildren, Alex Moore of Carlinville and Caitlin Moore of Carlinville; two great grandchildren; sister-in-Law, Anna Jane Hornaday, New Caney, TX; niece, Sherrie Clements (Steve) of Macomb; and many great nieces and nephews.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene Gahr; brother, Ray Caudle; sister, Wanda Stevens; sister-in-law, Evelyn Caudle; brother-in-law, Alvin Gahr; niece, Raylene Morris; niece, Vicki Foiles; and nephew, Ronnie Joe Reiher.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 9:30 to 11:00 am at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville.
Burial will follow in Moore Cemetery, Carlinville. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ or Carlinville Food Pantry. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville 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.
