Peggy Joan McWilliams died peacefully at home with loving family at her side March 17, 2025. Peggy was preceded in death by her loving husband Delmar K (Dutch) McWilliams, parents Ausby and Dale Lankston, beloved sister Karen Marchand sons Ronald McWilliams, Larry McWilliams, cherished cousin David Brown and granddaughter Beth Jamison. Peggy is survived by children Kaye (Ken) Ault, Candy McWilliams, Steve (Marlene) McWilliams, Jody (John) Jennemann, Cathy (John) Beffa and grandchildren Greg McWilliams, Dan Kennedy, Ken McWilliams, Brian McWilliams, Bill Ault, Andrea Parillo, Ben Ault, Steven McWilliams, Stephanie McWilliams, Jeremy McWilliams, Sarah Mullins, Tracy Jennemann, seventeen great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and cousins.
Peggy was born in Palestine IL June 25, 1929 and graduated from Palestine High School and Indiana Business College in Indianapolis IN. Peggy married Dutch March 20, 1954 he brought Ronnie, Larry, Kaye and Candy to the family; to which Steve, Jody and Cathy were later added. Peggy and family moved to Eureka MO in 1962 where she remained until her passing. Peggy, Dutch and Candy worked at United Shoe Machinery in St Louis until Dutch's retirement in 1980. In her later life Peggy worked for Pacer Industries, St Joseph's Hill Infirmary, and St Andrew's Place. She grudgingly retired at 88 after she suffered a stroke and could no longer drive. Peggy often said she'd rather work outside the home than do housework.
Peggy was a prolific letter-writer to friends and family, her letters always included the news of the day, the local weather and updates on friends, family and pets. Never losing interest in life, Peggy read the newspaper front to back for most of her adult life, and was a member of the United Methodist Church of Eureka for many years and member of Lewis Memorial Chapel since 2024. We mourn her passing and celebrate the life she lived.
Services: Memorial service at the SCHRADER Funeral Home - Eureka, 108 N. Central Avenue, Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
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