Obituaries
Obituary of William (Bill) Edgar Keepper
William (Bill) Edgar Keepper, 93 of Carlinville, formerly of Schaumburg, passed away on Tuesday evening, August 26, 2025, at Hallmark Health Care in Carlinville. Bill was born on June 22, 1932, in Waukegan, IL, a son of Lester H. Sr. and Martha (Herrin) Keepper.
He graduated from Waukegan High School with the class of 1950 and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1953 where he played football for the Quantico Marines Devil Dogs football team. Bill received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois Wesleyan University and on June 21, 1958, he married Ruby I. Armour in Bloomington, Illinois.
After his time in the service, Bill became an insurance broker in the Chicago area where he later established his own firm and worked until 2021. He was a member of Evangel Assembly of God Church in Schaumburg, IL. He was very devout man, often asking family members if they wanted to join him for Sunday’s service and was frequently called upon to lead the blessing at family events.
In his spare time, Bill had many hobbies like fishing, but he never lost his passion for team sports, particularly basketball and football (GO BEARS). He played basketball until he was in his 70s and that time spent on the court was full of great memories. Most of all Bill, loved to spend time with his family and his grandchildren. His ready smile and quick wit made an impression on everyone he met, and he had an impressive repertoire of magic tricks (is that a quarter behind your ear?) which he put to good use at family gatherings and children’s parties.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Susan Zinda of Carlinville; daughter, Rebecca Keepper of Springfield, MO; four grandsons, Kyle and Tyler Zinda, Garrett and Adam Love; sister, Beth Foster of Shreveport, LA; sister-in-law, Beth Keepper of Aurora, CO; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son, Jeffrey W. Keepper; infant son, William Keepper; son-in-law, Todd Zinda; and two brothers, John Keepper and Lester H. Keepper, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, 10:00 to 11:00 am at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville. Burial will follow in Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Carlinville.
Memorials may be made to the family, care of Sue Zinda. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville 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.
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