Obituaries
Obituary of Jennifer Jean (Fesser) Helgen
Jennifer Jean (Fesser) Helgen, 42, of Litchfield, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025. She was born September 17, 1983, in Vandalia, a daughter of Darrell Eugene and Jeannie Lou (Thiele) Fesser.
Jennifer graduated from Lincolnwood High School with the class of 2002 and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education at Illinois State University, and Master of Arts in Education at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
She owned Lily Pad Learning Centers in Litchfield, Staunton, and Hazelwood, MO. Jennifer was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, a past board member of Zion Lutheran School, and a member of the City of Litchfield Economic Planning Commission. She enjoyed attending concerts, traveling, and watching her daughter’s sports games. One of her greatest passions was educating our youth. Jennifer took great pride in having quality, affordable, and structured education for all children with her daycares. They were truly an extension of her family.
Jennifer is survived by her husband, David Helgen of Litchfield; her daughter, Morgan Helgen of Litchfield; her parents, Darrell and Jeannie Fesser of rural Butler; her sister, Lindsey (Devin) Bedinger of Raymond; her maternal grandmother, Betty Thiele of Vandalia; her parents-in-law, Mike and Becky Helgen of Litchfield; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services for Jennifer will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Rev. Fred Kraemer of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield will officiate. There will be no visitation. A funeral procession will line up at Plummer Funeral Home beginning at 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning and go in procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to Zion Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran School, 1301 N. State Street, Litchfield, IL, 62056. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield 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.
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