Marcella G. "Sally" Wakefield

Marcella G. "Sally" Wakefield, beloved great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the age of 86. She was born on April 21, 1939.

Sally was raised on a farm in rural Teutopolis, surrounded by love, strength, kindness, and her nine brothers and sisters. In her early years, she walked the dusty country roads to Plain Tree School and later graduated from Teutopolis High School, Class of 1957.

Sally was known for her kind heart and her strong faith in God. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her, and family was always the center of her life. She loved cooking and baking for her family, gardening, telling stories, listening to country music, playing cards, dancing, singing, and doing puzzles. She loved to sew doll clothes. It made her day to see a little girl's face light up as she was picking out that special outfit from "Sally's Doll Clothes." She especially cherished vacation trips to Myrtle Beach, Branson and joyfully welcomed each new baby into the family.

Her home was a place of warmth, care, and comfort for everyone. Sally also dearly loved her cat, Miss Kitty, who faithfully sat on her lap each evening while she watched television. Her stories and life lessons, rooted in love and faith, will live on for generations.

Sally is survived by her loving children: Katherine Wakefield of Teutopolis; Ronald (Karen) Wakefield of Shumway; Nancy (Kurt) Thoele of Teutopolis; Janet (Kurt) Zerrusen of Teutopolis; James (Rita) Wakefield of Effingham; and Wesley (Amy) Wakefield of Shumway. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by her sister, Patricia (Robert) Poston, and brother, Philip (Carol) Hartke, both of Teutopolis; her brother-in-law, Carl (Glenda) Wakefield of Shumway and sisters-in law, Eileen Hartke, Charlene Hartke, Joyce Vahling, and Joann Hartke.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Roy Wakefield; her parents, Alphonse and Sophia Hartke; her daughter, Marilyn, in infancy; sisters Mary Lou Vahling, Margie Clayton Apke, and Elvera Verdeyen; brothers Jerry, Chuck, Frank, and Mike Hartke; sister-in-law Kathy Hartke; and brothers-in-law Ray Vahling, John Verdeyen, Arlen Clayton, and Don Apke.

As Sally was nearing the end of her earthly life, she never stopped saying her prayers. Though our hearts are broken and she will be deeply missed, we take comfort in knowing she is now an angel in Heaven. When we cry and hold one another, may we remember the many beautiful memories we shared with her.

Sally was deeply loved and will be missed forever as she looks down upon us with the angels in Heaven.

Services: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Visitation will be held from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at Bauer Funeral Home .

A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's of the Annunciation Church with Father Michal Rosa officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

A luncheon reception will be held in the basement of St. Mary's Church following the burial.