Obituaries
Obituary of Sharon Irene Wood
Sharon Irene Wood, 80, of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Litchfield Health and Rehab. She was born in St. Louis, MO, on August 17, 1944, a daughter of Gerald Mitchell and Deana Irene (Williams) Hart.
She moved to Litchfield with her family in 1947, when her father returned to his hometown after WWII. Sharon graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1962. She married Michael Dean Wood on July 22, 1972, at Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield. They were happily married for nearly 53 years. He survives.
Sharon was employed for nearly 40 years with the City of Litchfield as deputy clerk of the water department. She was a member of Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler where she served on the Ladies Aid committee, on the church council as chairman of the worship committee, WELCA, and Sunday school teacher.
Sharon was a well-known dedicated volunteer in many local activities. She was the Edgewood Cemetery Association secretary, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 436, serving as Rehab and Education Chairman for many years, and a member of the Laborers International Union of North America Local 773.
In addition, she was involved with the Cub Scouts, serving as den leader and pack leader for ten years, committee treasurer of the Litchfield Sesquicentennial History book, a Route 66 Association member, a lifetime member of the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, where she also served on the board, as treasurer, and as a greeter. Sharon was a talented country dancer and an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She and Mike enjoyed traveling after retirement, and celebrating their 40th anniversary in Hawaii was a favorite memory.
Sharon’s goal in life was to be there and support her family. She could be found cheering on her son Corey’s drag racing, watching her husband, son-in-law, grandson-in-law, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter pitch horseshoes, and attending her grandson’s baseball and soccer games, and her granddaughter’s tennis and dancing activities.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Michael Wood of Litchfield; sons, Stephen J. (Melissa) Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL and Corey M. Wood of Litchfield; daughter, Jaime D. (Wade) Koonce of Litchfield; grandchildren, Adrienne Michelle Koonce and Kristin Nicole (Justin) Plasters of Litchfield and Kathryn Addison Fiscor and Ryan Sheffield Fiscor of Jacksonville, FL; great grandchildren, Hunter Allen Plasters and Tymberli Rae Plasters of Litchfield, and Elissa Cline-Plasters of Gillespie; sisters-in-law, Nancy Hart of Pensacola, FL, Margaret “Peggy” Helfrich of Springfield, and Pat Coleman of Washington state; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Deana Hart, brother, Gerald D. Hart, and grandparents, Orville Hart, Edith Bandy and Harold and Flora Williams.
Funeral services celebrating Sharon’s eternal life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Wares Grove Lutheran Church in rural Butler. Pastor John Jaffry will officiate. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be held at Plummer Funeral Home from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Memorials may be made to Wares Grove Lutheran Church, Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, or Litchfield Veterans Memorial Garden. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the 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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