Margie J. Walker

CHARLESTON, IL – Margie Jean Walker, age 82 of rural Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 in the comfort of her rural Charleston home.  Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 11:30 a.m. immediately following the visitation with Pastor Scott Sims officiating.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon.  For those who wish, it is requested that memorial gifts in her honor be made to the Mount Tabor Church – Save the Church Fund.  Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service, or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. 

Margie was born on July 18, 1929 in Charleston a daughter of the late Hensel and Flossie (Shryock) Kackley.  She married Charles W. "Bill" Walker on December 24, 1949 in Mattoon and they shared the next 45 years in marriage, friendship and sharing in the operation of the family farm.  Bill preceded her in death on April 13, 1995.  Margie is survived by two loving daughters, Karen Walker and husband Mike Halvorsen of Champaign and Cathy Babbs and husband Roger of rural Charleston; two grandchildren, Corey Babbs and wife Lauren and Christina Coffey and husband Tony, all of Charleston; two great grandsons, Jake and Ben Coffey; three nephews and their families, David, Michael and Dan Smith; and her extended family, Brian and Debbie Berggren, who were loving caregivers during her illness.  In addition to her parents and her husband, Margie was preceded by a sister and brother-in-law, Ken and Catherine Smith. 

Margie was a 1947 graduate of Charleston High School and furthered her education at Lake Land College.  She was a member of First Christian Church in Charleston and also of the Leah Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and served as a Past Worthy Matron.  Her employment career began at the Charleston Community Hospital where she served as Administrative Coordinator for 14 years and later at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center as Patient Accounts Supervisor.  She was employed in the insurance department at Eastern Illinois University for five years before accepting a position as a Disbursing Officer for the State University Retirement System in Champaign, where she remained until her retirement in 1985. 

In addition to working outside the home, Margie also treasured her role as a homemaker, farmer's wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She loved her home, located on the family's Sesquicentennial Farm.  It was a place which was filled with love and warmth and was inviting to family and friends, as well as a place where she could enjoy her hobbies of cooking, quilting and genealogy.  Another of her favorite pastimes found her at the keyboard of her computer where she used her knowledge and skills for Ebay transactions, refunding and couponing.  Margie enjoyed the friendships of many including those in her Gigabyte Computer Club and her couponing club.  It was undoubtedly her family which provided for her the greatest joys in life - they were her pride and joy and her love for them was evident.  That love was generously returned by her devoted family, and the many memories of this very special mother, grandmother and great-grandmother will always be treasured in their hearts.