Obituaries
Obituary of Joseph William Jacobs Jr.
Joseph William Jacobs, Jr., 95 of Gillespie, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at his residence in Rochester, IL.
Joe was born September 2, 1930, the son of Joseph William Sr. and Anna Beatrice (Shimkus) Jacobs. Joe began his life at Gillespie Lake until he moved to their farm in Gillespie. He went to school at Grime School until the 8th grade. Then, he went on to work on the farm alongside with his father until his father’s death in 1967.
Joe always loved animals, especially hunting dogs and beagles. At the age of 20, he was drafted into the US Army for two years during the Korean War. During the war, he went to France and served as a dental assistant.
After returning home from the Army, he went back to farming. He married Eunice Perrine in 1954. They had three children. During that time, Joe also started to raise dogs. He had over 12 different breeds that he raised. He also joined the Cahokia Beagle Club. Once a month he would go to the field trials with his dogs. He enjoyed judging dogs to see how they tracked rabbits.
Joe retired and moved to Litchfield when the long wall mining at Monterey Coal Company came through. Soon after, he turned over the farming operation to his son, Joe. He then began to buy and rent houses around the area. At one time, he had 17 houses that he managed. He cared for his own mother in Litchfield until her death in 2002. Joe continued to live in Litchfield until May of 2022 when he moved to Rochester with his daughter and her husband.
Joe is survived by his children including his daughter, Diane Jacobs of Litchfield, son, Joe Jacobs, III of Gillespie, and daughter, Lynn (Dick) Buecker of Rochester; granddaughter, Casey (Andy) Yuskanich of Springfield; grandson, Zach Buecker of Springfield; and two great grandchildren, Jacob and Daxton Yuskanich
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Loretta L. Schosser.
Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 11:00 am, at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville 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.
