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Obituary of Pearl Gotcher

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Pearl Gotcher, 86 of Carlinville, passed away on Tuesday morning, August 19, 2025, at Lakeside Health Care in Carlinville. She was born on February 1, 1939, in Carlinville, a daughter of Charles and Goldie Coats Gotcher.

Pearl graduated from Virden High School with the class of 1957. She started her career with the Illinois Department of Law Enforcement in 1959 as a clerk typist in the Department’s Bureau of Data Processing. She later became a Data Input Operator and served in this capacity until 1974, transferring to the Division of Fiscal Management where she was later promoted to an Account Clerk and then to an Accounting Technician. She retired from the Illinois State Police as an Accountant in 1991 after 32 years of service and had participated in the same car pool for 21 straight years.

She was very active in her church, serving in many different roles, including ten years as Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Department, Youth President of the Youth Department, taught the Junior Girls and Intermediate Classes for several years, as well as, various other offices in this area. Pearl also enjoyed reading bible devotions and watching TV.

Pearl is survived by her sisters, Janet (Fred) Tate of Madisonville, TN and Lois Hunter of Sun City, AZ; nieces, Pam (Jim) Bennett of Carlinville and Kathy (Keith) Ushman of Manchester; as well as, several other nieces and nephews.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Virginia Smith and Edna Abney; and brother, Don Gotcher.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at First Assembly of God Church, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Assembly of God Church Carlinville. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituaries

Obituary of Grace “Sally” Agnes Schuerman

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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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Obituary of Paul F. Madden

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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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Obituary of Suzanne Marie Labath

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Suzanne Marie Labath, 63 of Scottsville, KY and formerly of St. Louis, MO and Gillespie passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Medical Center at Scottsville.  The Davenport, Iowa native was a homemaker, loved being a grandma, and enjoyed camping and fishing. She was a daughter of the late John H. Labath and Suzanne M. Petersen Labath.

She is survived by her husband, Ron Fritz, Scottsville, KY; son, Jason Beard, Bowling Green, KY; two daughters, Erica Beard and Jessica Allen, both of St. Louis, MO; four brothers, John Labath (Cathy), Long Grove, IA, Bill Labath, Yale, IA, Tony Labath (Judy), Greensboro, NC, and Bert Labath (Gail), Lumberton, TX; sister, Josie Labath, Davenport, IA; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Labath and Barbara Labath; four grandchildren, Anyae, Anthony and Jaleyah Allen and Jeremiah Thomas; two great grandchildren, Amaya Marshall and A’riah Beard; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Marty Labath and Pete Labath.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation was chosen and Goad Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations for funeral expenses.  Donations may be made at Goad Funeral Home.

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