Born July 24, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, MO, to Oran Costin and Mary Fern (Aud) Allen, Peggy was a 1969 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School where she caught the heart of her high school sweetheart C. Michael Eaker. They married on July 10, 1970.
Faith and family provided a strong foundation throughout Peggy’s life. Born into the Baptist faith, she embraced Methodism in her early adult years. Peggy shared her love for Jesus as a member of the church choir, the handbell choir, Sunday school teacher and vacation bible school volunteer. Michael’s work as resident manager of Epworth Springs Camp (later Living Springs) brought the Eaker family to Lewistown. Peggy supported summer church camp ministries as a leader, teacher and honorary mom to countless campers and volunteers.
An avid reader and lifelong learner, Peggy was an advocate for education. She served on the support staff of Lewistown Unit School District #97 for more than 30 years. In September 2024, she was honored to be named grand marshal of the homecoming parade sharing the title with her colleague and dear friend, the late Jan Braun.
Quality time was Peggy’s love language. She cherished time spent with family and friends. When that time included some of her favorite activities – it was all the better. Peggy loved shopping (most often for others), going to movies, junking around at antique stores, eating out, playing cards and traveling to Wetumpka, AL, to visit her life-long friend Marge Roate and her Alabama family. Peggy loved decorating for the holidays – especially for Christmas and was known to leave a tree up all year. In her quiet time, she enjoyed a good cup of coffee, counted cross stitch, reading, making collages out of magazine clippings, working a word search, having her nails done and watching Hallmark movies, although it wasn’t unusual for her to miss the ending because she fell asleep!
Peggy’s family was her greatest blessing. She is survived by her husband of 54 years; daughter Amy (Bill) Lair of Canton and son Chadd (Katie) Eaker of Lewistown; five grandchildren, Ally, Grant and Audrey Lair of Canton and Cal and Wally Eaker of Lewistown; her first and forever best friend - sister Pam (Rick) Shamblin of Blue Springs, MO, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, Wilbur (Bud) Allen.
A celebration of Peggy’s life will be held Sunday March 16th, at 1 p.m. at the Henry-Lange Memorial Home, 203 North Illinois Street in Lewistown with Pastor’s Dennis Aud and Tim Christian officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday March 15th from 3 until 5 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the memorial home. Those attending are encouraged to wear pink in acknowledgement of Peggy’s cancer journey and with appreciation to those who supported her along the way.
While Peggy loved fresh flowers, she often said, “bring them to me when I’m alive, because I won’t enjoy them later.” In that spirit, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LUSD 97 Christmas Fund. Online condolences may be made at henrylange.com
No comments:
Post a Comment