Obituaries
Obituary of John Thomas Turner Jr.
John Thomas Turner Jr., 82 of Carlinville, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at St. John’s hospital in Springfield. John was born at Catching’s Clinic in Woodville, Mississippi to John T. Turner Sr. and Edna Earle (Taylor) Turner on June 30, 1942.
His parents owned and operated Turner’s Gulf Grill and Service Station where John worked many long hours in the service/gas station of the business. John graduated from Woodville Attendance Center in 1960. He continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi and earned his masters degree in Accounting in 1967.
After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, he was hired by Exxon Mobile in Houston, Texas. John became the Controller of the accounting and financial departments at Monterey Coal Company, a division of Exxon Mobile, in Carlinville. He retired from Monterey Coal Company in December of 2000 and remained in Carlinville until his passing.
John married Elizabeth “Cookie” Ann Denstel on March 3, 1967, at the Woodville Methodist Church, Mississippi. John was a man of humble beginnings but was rich in wisdom, integrity, kindness and love. He loved unconditionally, gave generously, and forgave easily. He knew the value of hard work, the importance of honesty and the strength of humility. John will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. The wisdom and friendship will be deeply missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him. John’s commitment to family and friends was unwavering.
John was proceeded in death by his parents, brother, James Leighton Turner, and sister, Gwendolyn Earle Turner.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Cookie Turner; daughter, Yvette Denise Turner (Darrin Hartsook) of Carlinville; son, John Thomas “Trey” Turner, 3rd (Jolene Turner) of Chandler, AZ; and four grandchildren, Danielle Breanna Turner Westnedge (23), Dawson Turner Westnedge (21), Waylon Cage Turner (6), and Margaux Weronika Turner (3); and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville. A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Woodville Methodist Church, Woodville, Mississippi.
Funeral and burial services immediately following. John will be buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Woodville, Mississippi. Memorials may be made to the Dementia Society of America or the Alzheimer’s Association. Local memorials in Carlinville may be made to the Macoupin County Pet Shelter. Local memorials in Woodville, Mississippi may be made to the Woodville Methodist Church.
Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville 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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