Margaret A. Guenther

WASHINGTON-Margaret A. Guenther, 82, of Washington, IL died at 3:00 AM Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Washington Christian Village. Born on July 30, 1930 in Pinckneyville, IL to David E. and Sarah M. Reese Slusher, she married Emerson E. Guenther on June 25, 1948 in Pinckneyville. He preceded her in death on February 14, 2004 in Washington. She was also preceded in death by 8 siblings and 1 son, Donald. Surviving are 1 son, Emerson “Butch” (Jeri) Guenther of Eureka and 2 daughters, Janine (Jeffrey) Shields of Glen Carbon and Gayle (Danny) Pugh of Quinlan, TX; 2 brothers, Delmar (Elaine) Slusher of Goodfield and Nelson (Barbara) Slusher of Tremont; 6 grandchildren, Eric (Michelle) Guenther of Washington, Shawn (Abby) Guenther of Decatur, Joss (Sarah) Shields of Staunton, Jared (Amy) Shields of Glen Carbon, Stacey (Danny) Rath and Shane Stieger, both of Quinlan, TX; and 9 great-grandchildren. Margaret attended Bradley University and then graduated from Illinois Central College and Illinois State University with a Bachelors Degree in education. She worked for Equitable Insurance Co. in Peoria and later worked at Calkins & Co. in Morton, retiring in 1985. Margaret was a homemaker and also was the organist at Roland Manor Baptist Church in Washington for 35 years. Margaret organized Heartland Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild. She was a member of Hands All Around Quilt Guild in Bloomington and the American Quilters Society. She taught quilting at Fondulac Administration Building in East Peoria and in her home for many years. Margaret was also a member of Illinois Valley China Art Guild, World Organization of China Painters, International Porcelain Art Teacher, Porcelain Art Teachers of Illinois, Masters Heritage Organization of China Painters. She held Master Artist and Master Teacher certificates in World Organization of China Painters and also taught china painting. Margaret was currently a member of Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria where funeral services will be at 10 AM Thursday, April 25, 2013. Pastor Joel Newton will officiate. Visitation will be 5-7 PM Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington and 30 minutes prior to service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington.

Margaret A. Guenther

July 30, 1930 - April 21, 2013