Margaret L. Lowell

CHARLESTON, IL – Margaret Louise Lowell, age 94 of Charleston, was peacefully called to her eternal heavenly home on Sunday, October 28, 2018 while at her Villas of Holly Brook residence with local family members and caregivers at her side.  Visitation will be held from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 902 Cleveland Avenue in Charleston.  The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 2:30 p.m., immediately following visitation, with Pastor Ken Hoover officiating.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston.  It is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in her honor be made to the EIU Foundation – Margaret and Walt Lowell Voluntary Service Scholarship.  Gifts may be left at the visitation or service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Marg, as she was affectionately known, was born July 30, 1924 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a daughter of the late Charles Luther and Letha (Stanley) Johnston.  She married Walter Smith Lowell on January 18, 1945 and they shared 71 years of marriage prior to his death on March 4, 2016.  She was also preceded by two sons, Tom and Dave Lowell, five sisters and a brother.  Marg leaves a large and loving family to cherish her memory including her daughter, Judy Hogan and husband Jerry of Pewaukee, Wisconsin; two sons, Jim Lowell and wife Mary of LaCrescent, Minnesota and Chuck Lowell and wife Ronda of Charleston; two daughters-in-law, Rita Lowell of Orlando, Florida and Char Lowell of Raleigh, North Carolina; fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Marg had been a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston since 1961 and was actively involved as a member of the church choir and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.  Marg was a devoted volunteer of various organizations and agencies and was a hospital volunteer and a charter member of the Coles County United Way.  She supported the American Red Cross as a Gray Lady and was the Director of the Red Cross Blood Drives for 25 years, being a donor herself from 1961 through 2002.  She was the recipient of the Clara Barton Award which is the highest award that the Red Cross bestows on volunteers for meritorious service in volunteer leadership over a period of years. 

Marg worked outside the home helping her good friend Jeannette Shannon at her bookbindery business, but was primarily devoted to her family as a wife, mother and homemaker.  She always volunteered to assist with her children’s school activities and was a Girl Scout troop leader and served on the board of the Red Bud Girl Scout Council.   Family camping trips were always a part of summer fun and she and Walt traveled extensively.  She was an avid bowler, a beloved Chicago Cubs fan, a crossword puzzle fanatic and enjoyed a good game of bridge.  Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought a great deal of joy to her life and she dearly loved each and every one

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