Obituaries
Obituary of Emma Jacobs
Emma Jacobs, 101 of Staunton, passed away at 3:59 AM on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at The Glenwood Assisted Living Center in StauntonL. She was born on April 16, 1924, the daughter of the late Mike and Elona (Kmec) Cheslak. She married John S. Jacobs on June 21, 1947, and he passed away on October 17, 1990.
Emma graduated from Livingston High School with the Class of 1943. After high school, Emma began working at Carter Carburetor in St. Louis, MO, and her husband joined her working at Carter’s after World War II ended. Her career at Carter’s lasted 38 years.
Emma was the last surviving charter member at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and traveling with her husband and later with family and friends.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, Robert Hermanns of Staunton, Scott Stanko of Houston, TX, Stefan Stanko of Houston, TX, Sue Stanko of Corpus Christi, TX, John “Jack” Perrone of Arnold, MO, Sandra Bond of Staunton, and Marci Delaney of Staunton.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Mary Cheslak, Leona Hermanns, Elsie Stanko, and Ann Cheslak; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bob Hermanns, George Stanko, John and Marcella Perrone, and Carl and Geraldine Kunz; and two nieces.
Visitation from 9:30 to 11 AM on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston. Funeral services at 11 AM on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston with Pastor Darwin Schrader officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
Memorials are suggested to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livingston. 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.
