Obituaries
Obituary of Kenneth James Daggett
Kenneth James Daggett, 79 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Copper Creek Memory Care in Litchfield. Ken was born on March 26, 1946, in Carlinville, a son of Harold “Pete” and Mildred (Engleman) Daggett.
Ken graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1964. He married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca (Becky) Drury on November 3, 1965. Ken worked as a manager at Friendly Chevrolet in Springfield, at Crown Finance in Springfield, was owner/operator of Standard City Tap in Standard City in the 1970’s, and then owner/operator of The Lost Dutchman Tavern in Carlinville from 1980-2001.
He was a member of the Carlinville Moose Lodge 1216 and the Rural Methodist Church. Ken loved tinkering around the farm, and enjoyed spending the majority of his time outdoors. He was an avid storyteller. His favorite pastime was sharing company with friends and family; telling stories from the many experiences he was a part of.
Many joke that if you stopped to chat with Ken, you would need to have an hour of time to spare. Whether it was a new story, or one you had heard many times before, his retelling was always entertaining and enjoyable. Every conversation included a laugh as his sense of humor was unmatched. His generosity was equally unmatched, as he was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Ken is survived by his son, Zachary (Molly) Daggett of Carlinville; daughter, Tracy Daggett of Springfield; grandchildren, Emelia and Nolan Daggett, and Hayley Daggett; brother, Jon (Sue) Daggett of Atwater; sister, Susie Lott of Carlinville; and several nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rebecca Daggett; and his sisters, Sharon Campbell and Marilyn Barnes.
A public graveside service with burial to follow will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Bethel Ridge Cemetery, Atwater with Reverend Braden Parks presiding. After the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Carlinville Moose Lodge 1216.
Memorials may be made to Moose Club 1216. 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.
