Obituaries
Obituary of Oliver Wesley Marit
Oliver Wesley Marit, 63, of Litchfield, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born on November 4, 1962, in Litchfield, a son of Kenneth Lavern and Esther Jean (Briggs) Marit.
Oliver graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1980 and later went through the Master Gardener Program at the University of Illinois. He loved being outdoors and as such, enjoyed his occupations as a farm hand for Frank Hagen Farms in Pleasant Plains, working construction, and mowing lawns. He enjoyed antique tractors, lawn mowers, and playing the harmonica.
Oliver is survived by his mother, Esther Jean (Alfred “A.J.”) Thiele of Litchfield; son, Wesley (Marina) Marit of Petersburg, IL; daughters, Rebecca Donahue of Jacksonville and Jolyn Staley of Tovey, IL; brothers, Dennis (Delphi) Marit of Spokane, WA, Michael (Diane Youngblood) Marit of Ft. Madison, IA, James Marit of Hammond, IL, Ronald (Lois) Marit of St. Petersburg, FL, Donald Marit of Litchfield, and Kenneth (Candy) Hayes of Moro, IL; sisters, Deborah Miller of Avon, IL and Patricia Becker of Cottage Hills, IL; and grandchildren, Isaac, Dominic, Emilia, London, Hald, Noah, Braxton, and Sebastian.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Marit, and a brother, Joseph R. Marit.
Funeral services for Oliver will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Rev. Jeff Benton will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Family of Oliver Marit, c/o Esther Jean Thiele. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of 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.
