Obituaries
Obituary of Peter Sidles
Peter Sidles, 93 of Litchfield, passed away at his home on Thursday, Aug 28, 2025.
He was born on the family farm near Jerome, Iowa.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Selma and Peter; wife, Ann; brothers, Howard, Harry and Jim; and sister, Virginia. He is survived by his daughter, Carol; son, Tim; beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth, Peter, David, Matt and Dan; great grandchildren, Joanna and James; brother-in-law, John; and sister-in-law, Liz.
He graduated from Iowa St University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. He played tenor saxophone in the marching band, concert band, and the Seven Sharps Jazz band. After graduating, he farmed for two years, before starting a career with the Caterpillar Tractor Company.
At Caterpillar, he designed track type tractors, wheel skidders, ag tractors, excavators, and wheel loaders. He had a number of patents filed for his inventions. He retired after 36 years and enjoyed a long retirement doing what he loved. He was an avid and accomplished bicyclist finishing Paris-Brest-Paris and multiple rides across Missouri and Iowa. With discipline and talent, he finished marathons and triathlons including a 1/2 ironman.
He was creative and skilled with his hands and loved spending time on home and garden projects. He enjoyed classical music, symphony, opera and generally being a patron of the arts. A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren watching them grow up. He was a kind, loving, generous father, grandfather, brother, friend, co-worker. He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.
A memorial service will be held in Jerome, Iowa in October. Memorials can be given to the Christian Church of Litchfield or the Parkinson’s Foundation. Plummer Funeral Home of Litchfield is serving the Sidles family.
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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.
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