On Monday, November 18, 2019, at 10:50 a.m., Perky Gatschenberger, passed away.
July 25, 1925, Muriel H. Shaw was born to Henry and Mabel Shaw, of Hardin, Illinois. She had one brother, Sonny; and two sisters, Pat and Roberta, all deceased.
On the day of her birth, she was nicknamed, “Perky” by her brother, after a pet squirrel. That name stuck with her the rest of her life, and she lived up to it. She was so energetic and perky in life, always smiling and seeing the best in everyone and every situation.
She married Robert J. Gatschenberger on May 1, 1945, a Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient in the Army of World War II. He passed away on April 2, 1996.
They built a small grocery store, the Southlawn Market on Stevenson Drive, and later owned two other grocery stores, Laketown IGA and Grandview IGA. They also owned Southlawn Motors auto sales, on Stevenson Drive, and every year had a firework stand out front. Mom, dad and the kids all took turns selling fireworks. They owned the 11th Street Car Wash in Springfield, the Douglas Nightingale Manor Nursing Home, in Tuscola, the Decatur Health Club, in Decatur, many rental properties, and most recently the R&M strip mall on Stevenson Drive.
“Bingo!” From 1972-1997, Perky was known as, “the Little Flower Bingo Lady”. For 25 years she helped organize Bingo every Thursday evening, raising enough money to help build a gym at Little Flower School. She loved it!
Perky served food at the LFS Pancake Breakfasts and at the Griffin Mostaccioli Dinners. She volunteered at LFS Heritage Days for many years with so many great friends from LFS. She delivered meals around Springfield to the elderly through Meals on Wheels and volunteered at the Food Pantry for 10 years. She donated food, clothing and Christmas trees to those in need.
She was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Rochester, and previously Little Flower Church. She was a member of the Elks Club Ladies Local 158 and had many wonderful friends there. Also a previous member of the KC Club Women's Auxiliary in Chatham and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Perky and Bob had 6 children; Patricia A. Greenleaf, James R. Gatschenberger (Sudi), Thomas J. Gatschenberger (Janet), Susan J. Hansen (Ken), Jackie J. Myers (Mark), and Richard L. Gatschenberger (Anna); grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jason (Sarah) Hansen and their children, Izayah, Indi, and Iain; Matthew (Abigail) Greenleaf and their children, Dominic and Chloe; Michael (Alexandria) Greenleaf and their children, Isabelle and Bennett; Corey Gatschenberger; Ryan (Brooke) Gatschenberger and their child, Mia; Jessica (Branden) Satterlee and their child, Emersyn; and Tayler and Alex Myers.
Mom had many wonderful caregivers, who became friends and a huge part of our family… we will forever be grateful.
A Memorial Mass will be held in Perky’s honor at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 25, 2019, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 633 S. Walnut St., Rochester. Following the mass, at 2:00 p.m., a private lunch and reception for Perky’s family and friends will be held at the Elks Lodge #158, 409 E. Lake Shore Dr, Springfield.
The family of Perky Gatschenberger (Muriel H.) is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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