Obituaries
Obituary of Frederick Michael “Mick” Beard
Frederick Michael “Mick” Beard, 55 of Wilsonville, passed away the morning of Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Harvel. Mick was born in Taylorville on March 26, 1970, a son of James Michael “Mike” Beard and Mary Lou (Corso) Owens.
He graduated from Lincolnwood High School with the class of 1989. Mick was a veteran of the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Persian Gulf War. As a civilian, he was employed in product set-up at the Firestone Tire Company’s Decatur plant. Mick enjoyed playing darts and bowling. He was extremely proud of his 2001 Camero T top and was an avid NASCAR memorabilia collector. He dearly loved his children and was crazy about his grandkids.
Mick is survived by his parents, Mike (Gena) Beard of Miller, MO, and Mary Lou (Rick) Owens of Harvel; son, Caleb (Riley Lowder) Beard, of Litchfield; daughters, Madisen (Matt White) Beard of Jacksonville and Delaney Beard of Farmersville; brothers, Noah (Krissy) Beard of Crane, MO, Brandon Lofts of Springfield, MO, Morgan Beard of Miller, MO, Josh Beard of Miller, MO, and Matthew Beard of Miller, MO; Crystal Corso, whom he loved like a sister; and grandchildren, Kade Robinson, Lela Beard, and one on the way.
Mick was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Lee Owens.
Services for Mick will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Fr. Florent Kanga of St. Raymond Catholic Church will preside. Burial will follow in Harvel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that monetary donations be made to The Family of Mick Beard, c/o Mr. Rick Owens. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the 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.
