Obituaries
Obituary of Viola Brackman
Viola Brackman, 97 of Staunton, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Viola Davison was born on May 16, 1928, in Piedmont, MO to John and Edna (Price) Davison. John passed away at the age of forty one in 1940, after being hit by a car while crossing Broadway in St. Louis, MO. Edna moved to Staunton with Viola and her siblings in 1944 sharing a house with Carrie Brackman who had a son, Cecil, serving in WWII. On February 14, 1948, Cecil and Viola were married by Rev. A.L. Matejka at his mother’s home on Union Street in Staunton.
Vi, as friends and family called her, attended and joined the Assembly of God Church shortly after they moved to Staunton. She remained a faithful member until her health prevented her from attending. She loved the Lord and taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was actively involved in many other church events.
Her greatest joys were her love for Jesus and her family. Viola loved spending time singing hymns and gospel music while Cecil, Dennis, and Dwight played their instruments. Her knowledge of lyrics and melodies from decades ago was vast. She always welcomed visits from family and friends. She also loved cooking and baking. Many times Mom could be heard in the kitchen with sounds of chicken frying in the skillet and she would always be preparing the fixin’s to go with it.
After Cecil retired, he and Viola would spend time RVing in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, during the winter months in Illinois. Several of the people they met there became life-long friends.
Viola never forgot the area in Missouri where her life began. She enjoyed returning there and loved camping by the Highway K Bridge, near Annapolis, a place that her children and grandchildren have also come to enjoy.
Cecil and Viola are survived by a daughter, Sue Goodson, of Staunton; two sons, Dennis (Barb) Brackman of Staunton and Dwight (Kathy) Brackman of Staunton; eight grandchildren, Amy (Carl) Zuhl of Schererville, IN, Eric Goodson, Abby Brackman of Glen Carbon, Emily (Harry) Paul of Staunton, Adam (Emily) Brackman of Webster Groves, MO, Carrie (Ian) Fenton of Mount Olive, Bethany (Nathan) Kokorudz of East Alton, and Aaron (LeAmber) Brackman of Commerce, GA; nineteen great grandchildren, Jesica Feldman, Jacob (Shayla) Goodson, Caleb, Gavin, Owen, and Baylor Brackman, Everly, Everett, Emery, and Everson Kokorudz, Cole, Cruz, Carter, and Cash Fenton, Henry, Atticus, and Silas Paul, Murphy Brackman and her soon to be little sister. Cecil & Viola were also blessed with two great great grandchildren, Patrick and Presley Feldman.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Cecil; a brother, Joseph Davison and his wife Yvonne; and two sisters, Marie Luttman and Bertie Rhodes and her husband Allen. She was also preceded in death by three infant sisters, Mary, Pearl, and Lottie Jane Davison.
Visitation will be from 10 AM to 12 noon on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at The Assembly Church in Staunton. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at The Assembly Church in Staunton with Pastor Art Braden officiating. Burial will follow at Tine Sawyer Cemetery near Staunton.
Memorials are suggested to either The Assembly Church of Staunton or to Tine Sawyer Cemetery. Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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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.
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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.
