Obituaries
Obituary of Jason Paul Overby
Jason Paul Overby, 47 of Worden, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He was born on February 12, 1977, in Town & Country, MO, the son of Ronald and Cynthia (Loebach) Overby. He married Jenny Engelke on June 14, 2003, and she survives.
He was employed as a Senior IT Manager with the St. Louis County Government Offices and had many cherished colleagues with many friendships built over his career. He was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (Ranken Technical College).
Jason was a man of immense wisdom and humor cherishing every moment spent with his family. He was the most amazing husband, father, son, brother and friend to many. He was very involved in his children’s lives from being their number one fan to coaching them and teaching them new things to be successful in life. No matter what, he showed his kids how much he loved them and how proud he was of them.
Jason was an amazing, relaxing, and calming person to be around, and was so uplifting for others who needed a shoulder to lean on. He touched so many lives and will be forever missed and always warming our hearts with his memories.
He is survived by his wife, Jenny Overby of Worden; two sons, Adam and Matthew Overby of Worden; his parents, Ronald and Cynthia Overby of Edwardsville; one brother, Joshua (MaryBeth) Overby of Shrewsbury, MO; one sister, Jillian Overby of Edwardsville; his mother-in-law, Denise (Keith) Buschmann of Staunton; his father-in-law, Kevin (Angie) Engelke of Edwardsville; and two brothers-in-law, Jeremy and Justin Engelke of Staunton.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating.
Memorials are suggested to a College Trust Fund being set up for Adam and Matthew. 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.
