Obituaries
Obituary of Virginia Alice Murphy
Virginia Alice Murphy, 80 of Staunton, passed away at 1 PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was born on August 27, 1945 in Elk Horn, WI, the daughter of the late George Charles and Mary Ann (Carruthers) Wentler.
She married Clyde Murphy Jr. on November 23, 1963, at First United Methodist Church of Staunton and he survives.
Virginia was employed as a machinist at Clemmens Milling Company in Livingston and attended Keyboard Computing School. She enjoyed sewing, traveling to the East, and was a Past District President of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship Group in Staunton. She also served as a Cub Scouts Den Mother and Committee Member for Pack #33 in Staunton, and a Committee Member of Boy Scout Troop #34 in Staunton.
She is survived by her husband, Clyde Murphy Jr. of Staunton; three sons, Earnest (Melvina) Murphy of St. James, MO, Matthew (Phyllis) Murphy of Canton, IL, and Andrew (Angela) Murphy of Cisco, IL; four grandchildren, Morgan, Phillip, Joseph, and Liam; five great grandchildren; three sisters, Mary Edith Wentler, Echo (Gary) Reeves, and Sandra (George) Colombo; one brother, Donald (Alicia) Wentler; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by four siblings, Cloide Wentler, Jean Lindgens, George Wentler, and Lloyd Wentler.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Kelly Carruthers officiating.
Burial will follow at Spangle Cemetery near Livingston. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers’ Association.
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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.
