Obituaries
Obituary of Frederick Oscar Kahler
Frederick Oscar Kahler, 89 of Gillespie, died at Gillespie Health and Rehab Center, Gillespie on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 5:40 pm. Fred Oscar Kahler was born on November 6, 1935, the only child of Oscar and Victoria Kahler in Gillespie.
He attended the Maple Street School and graduated in May 1953 from Gillespie High School. He played varsity football as a line backer, and played the trombone in the high school band. Following high school he worked in the mail room at the state house in Springfield. While in Springfield, he was also active in intramural sports, particularly basketball.
Following his stint in Springfield, he enlisted in the Army for two years and was stationed at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. After being discharged he returned to Springfield to work at Kyanize Paint Company for several years, always returning to his roots to care for his aging mother. After she passed away, Fred moved into her home in Gillespie and worked for Garella Pest Control for a number of years.
In later life, he was a courier for the Carlinville National Bank. Fred lived a simple life tending his vegetable garden, watching his purple martin house, repairing items for his neighbors and friends, and enjoying history television shows and sporting events. But his main passion was model trains – he had a significant train collection of which he was very proud and enjoyed showing his trains to anyone who was interested.
Fred had no living relatives but his special friend over the years was Roberta Wenzel and her daughter, Attorney Nancy Ruyle of Carlinville, with her family who spent many festive holidays with him over the years. He was also a close friend of David and Sandy Bertetti of Andover, MA and GIllespie and Dr. Marc Booth of Chapel Hill, NC whom Fred mentored for many years.
Fred had many friends in Gillespie especially the Thursday morning coffee group and particularly Linda Vidmar who helped him with everyday tasks in his later years.
Friends may call on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Gillespie Methodist Church from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm with a memorial service to follow at the church at 6:30 pm. Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Methodist Church. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the 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.
