Obituaries
Obituary of William Kasich
William Kasich, 98 of Litchfield, died at Meridian Village, Glen Carbon on Thursday, July 31, 2025. He was born on June 24, 1927, in Benld to Anton Kasich and Mary Pregon Kasich. He married Joan Jatcko on August 6, 1949. She passed away on June 11, 2019.
He was retired after having been an elementary education teacher and a principal in Litchfield. William received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree after having attended Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He was a veteran of the US Army after having served with the Judge Advocate General 7708 War Crimes Group.
William was baptized at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Benld. He was a member of the Illinois Educational Association, American Federation of Teachers, Croatian Fraternal Union, VFW of Mt. Olive, Holy Trinity Church and the Litchfield Senior Citizens.
He is survived by his son, David W. (spouse, DeAnna M. Chistie Kasich) Kasich of Edwardsville; daughter, Kathy (spouse, Larry) Gallagher of Edwardsville; grandchildren, Michael Gallagher, Vanita Gallagher, and David A. (spouse, Molly Killebrew) Kasich; great-grandchildren, Kendalyn Portz and Brayden Portz; and grandson in law, Rick Portz.
William was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Christina Digby; brother, Michael Kasich; and sister, Ann Pellock.
Visitation will be on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Benld from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm with funeral services to follow at the funeral home at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at Holy Dormition Cemetery, Benld.
Memorials are suggested to St. Louis Area Food Bank. Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld is in charge of the 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.
