Mary Margaret (Clark) Gilreath

Mary Margaret passed away peacefully at home Saturday evening, October 2, 2021, in the company of her comforting children. She lived independently in rural Chatham, until she placed herself under hospice care for her last week on earth. 

After raising her seven children, she worked for the State of Illinois in Springfield, first at the then nascent Department of Firearms Registration, followed by the Department of Mental Health at McFarland.

She was born October 16, 1926, in Chatham, the daughter of Walter N. and Gertrude P. O’Keefe Clark. Mary Margaret was preceded in death by her siblings, William D. (Uncle Bee), Ellen M. (Aunt Sis), and Donald N. Clark. She is survived by her older sister, M. Janice (Clark) Germann.

She leaves behind her seven children:  Carol J. Bumgarner, Geneva P. Clem, Grace A. Wisniewski, Malinda K. (Jeff) Paine, Jessica (Charles) Sharp, Amy J. Gilreath (Paul Keyser), and Michael J. (Vickie) Gilreath. They and her eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren will sorely miss her unconditional love.

As a fifth generation Sangamon County farmer, she was proud of her heritage and her ancestors’ deep roots in the local community. Like her forbears, she started life as a member of the Cumberland Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church. Subsequently and until the time she passed, she was a faithful member of the Sugar Creek United Methodist Church.

Visitation is being held Saturday, October 9, from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by services at the Sugar Creek United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Dinges officiating. Interment to follow at the Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery, Glenarm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center, 1001 Mission Dr., Pawnee, IL. 62558.

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