Obituaries
Obituary of Joseph Patrick “Pat” Driscoll
Joseph Patrick “Pat” Driscoll, 82 of Litchfield, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Chandler Regional Hospital & Medical Center in Chandler, AZ. Pat was born on January 29, 1943, in Litchfield a son of Daniel and Mayola (Micenheimer) Driscoll.
He married the former Betty Jane Marburger on February 1, 1964, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Litchfield; she survives. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.
Pat attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Litchfield High School. He was employed as a machine operator at CPC Rexel until its closure. He enjoyed bass fishing, boating, camping, woodworking, and Nascar. Pat was an honorary volunteer firefighter for the Litchfield Fire Department and an amateur radio operator with the call sign WB9HRC.
In addition to his wife, Betty, Pat is survived by one son, Joseph P. (Teresa) Driscoll, Jr. of Wood River; brother, Michael Driscoll of Ellisville, MO; two sisters, Donna Eades of Chandler, AZ and Judy Stokes of Litchfield; two grandchildren, Dustin (Jennifer) Edwards and Mallory (Jay) Morris of Wood River; and two great-grandchildren, Trinity Edwards and Shelby Morris of Wood River.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Daniel Driscoll.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Fr. Danile Willenborg of Holy Family Catholic Church in Litchfield will preside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family with 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.
