Obituaries
Obituary of Jack Edward Titsworth
Jack Edward Titsworth, 94 of Litchfield, passed away at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehab. He was born in Mendota, Illinois on July 9, 1930, a son of Chauncey Marion and Mary Melburiene (Davidson) Titsworth.
He graduated from Roxana High School with the class of 1948. Jack and the former Alice Southard were married in 1949; she preceded him in death in 1980. He and the former Patricia M. Priddle were married on September 15, 1980, and she survives.
Jack was a masonry contractor and owned and operated Jack Titsworth Masonry Contractors for several years. He was a member of the Bricklayers Local 8 in O’Fallon, Illinois, retiring in 1993. Jack enjoyed going on motorcycle trips, traveling in their motor home, owning Tennessee Walker horses, and the farm life. He was a member of The Christian Church of Litchfield.
Jack is survived by his wife, Patty Titsworth of Litchfield; sons, Steven (Judy) Titsworth of Holmes Beach, FL and Tim (Kelly) Titsworth of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren, Chad (Maureen) Titsworth, Joshua Titsworth, Lauren (C.J.) Wickersham, Ally (Aaron) Reese, Jack (Deserae) Titsworth, Justin Titsworth and Kaitlin Titsworth; fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Chauncey and Melburiene Titsworth, his first wife, Alice Titsworth, and a sister, Jill Morgan.
Funeral services for Jack will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at The Christian Church of Litchfield, 131 Yaeger Lake Trail, Litchfield. Rev. John Blackmore and Rev. Tim Barbee will co-officiate. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Burial will be in Hart Cemetery in rural Litchfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Christian Church of Litchfield or to Hart Cemetery Association. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
Comments
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.
