Obituaries
Obituary of Rita Mae Smith
Rita Mae Smith NEE Dana, 93, passed away peacefully at 10:35 am on July 6, 2025, with her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law by her side. She was born on October 21, 1931, in Mitchell, IL to Gertrude Bequette Dana and Charles Edward Dana Sr.
She married Charles Newton (Newt) Smith, Jr. on December 29, 1949, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Bethalto. He passed away in December 1995.
First and foremost she loved family and family gatherings, golf, the cardinals, dancing, wine dinners, and high tea. She was known for her fried chicken and her generosity. She always said “there is always room for one more at the table.” She sent care packages to her kids friends through the years and always made sure everyone had a Christmas. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Steven Ray Whisenand whom she adored; her parents and in laws, Comella and Charles N Smith Sr.; three brothers and their spouses, Charles Edward (Boss) Dana Jr., Stanley Aloysius (Allie) and Ruth Ann Dana, Joseph (Joe) and Marilyn Dana; four sisters and their spouses, Margaret and Delmar Oldenettel, Gertrude (Trudy) and Gene King, Elizabeth (Betty) and George Briskovich and Barbara (Bobbie) and John Katich; three brothers in law, George F Smith, Spencer Q Smith and Birdie Stanfield, Richard C Smith and Sylvia; sister in law, Comella (Cassie) Reynolds; niece; two nephews; two great nieces; and one great nephew.
She is survived by her daughter, Paulette’ Je’An Smith of Bunker Hill; her son and his wife, Steven (Smitty) and Marcia Smith of Littleton, CO; one sister and brother in law, Helen and Steve Zink of Springfield; 37 nieces and nephews; 31 great nieces and nephews; and 33 great great nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held. Kravanya Funeral Home, Bunker Hill is in charge of the 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.
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