George Sawyer

George Edward Sawyer Jr., 91, of Gillespie, IL, died at St. John's Hospital, Springfield, IL on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 1:45pm. He was born October 13, 1934, in Gillespie, IL to George Sawyer Sr. & Margaret Rudolph Sawyer.

He married Betty Anderson on December 6, 1983 in Torrance, CA. She preceded him in death on September 3, 2009.

George married Barbara Ann Resnik Madden on February 15, 2014 in Gillespie, IL. She preceded him in death on September 20, 2022. 

He was retired after having been a scheduler for Boeing. George had a catholic faith and was a member of the SS Simon & Jude Church and Choir. He was also a member of the Gillespie Lions Club and Meals on Wheels.

George was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Blues fan as well as a U of I sports fan. He enjoyed cars and loved bicycling. 

He is survived by his step children, Vicky (David) Seaton of Ft. Worth, TX, Donna (Joseph) Hoffbauer of FL, Donnie (Rebecca) Soper of Columbia, SC, John P. (Betsy) Madden of St. Paul, MN, Timothy J. (Anne) Madden of Lemont, IL, David W. (Sarah) Madden of Champaign, IL, step daughter in law, Elizabeth Madden, grandchildren, Noah (Allison) Belanger, Kylee (Jared) Ham, Colleen (Ryan) Cash, Joseph Madden, Peter Madden, Clare Madden, Emily Madden, Zoey Mayo, Colin Filkins, great-grandchildren, Isla Belanger, Levi Belanger, Caden Phillips and many nieces and nephews. 

George was preceded in death by his parents, spouses, step son, Paul F. Madden, sisters, Margaret M. Butler, Loretta Morris, Dolores Ganey. 

Friends may call on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.

Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at SS Simon and Jude Church in Gillespie at 11:30 am. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie, IL. 

Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Lions Club, SS Simon & Jude Church, or SS Simon & Jude Choir. 

Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com.  Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie, IL is in charge of the arrangements.