Margaret Lucille Karraker

Margaret was born December 16, 1921, in Wolf Lake, Illinois, to David and Alice Miller. She married Richard Karraker on May 1, 1943. They enjoyed over 68 years together.

A devoted member of the Fairview Heights Church of Christ for many years, Margaret was an inspiration to many and loved by all. Her faith and loving spirit endeared her to members of all ages. In the words of one of her neighbors at Charles Gardens, she loved everyone, and everyone loved her.

After her marriage, Margaret stayed home with her four children, Linda, Mitz, Rick, and Alan during their formative years. She went back to school and became a teacher on a provisional certificate while she worked to complete her degree, which she obtained from McKendree University in 1973. Margaret thoroughly enjoyed teaching 4th then 3rd grade at Grant-Illini District 110 in Fairview Heights. She influenced many young lives and remembered and recognized those students even though she had been retired for many years.

Margaret enjoyed gardening and canning well as oil painting. She also thoroughly loved spending several mornings each week playing bingo with her friends. She was a strong, hard worker who rarely complained. Both she and Richard delighted in bowling every Friday for several years. They also had a camper and spent many happy hours with family members laughing and telling stories around the campfires during the evening. In later years, Margaret and Richard took several Presley Tours to a variety of destinations in the United States. They traveled with friends and formed new friendships as well.

She loved spending time with her family hosting many holiday meals, always preparing special dishes if requested. Her patience with her grandchildren was legendary. She incorporated all of her teaching expertise as well as her gentleness when she interacted with them and always took time to listen. In her later years, she became a dedicated St. Louis Cardinals fan and eagerly watched their games TV whenever possible.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents David and Alice Miller, her 3 sisters: Serena (Elbert) Miller, Fanny (Fred) Miller, Violet (Percy Foreman, Bob Butts), and 4 brothers: an infant David Miller, Raymond "Louis" (Frieda) Miller, Harold (Faye, Pauline) Miller, and Francis (Josephine) Miller, and her daughter, Linda (Denzil) Keckley.

Surviving are her 3 sons, Mitzie (Sharon) Karraker of Tunnel Hill, Illinois; Rick (Diane) Karraker of Belleville, Illinois, and Alan Karraker of Fairview Heights, Illinois; ten grandchildren, Steven (Celeste) Keckley, Scott (Pam) Keckley, Randy Karraker, Melissa Yuengel, Brian (Susan) Karraker, Dawn (Matt) Lang, Kara Karraker, Kirt (Terri) McManus, Stephanie (Joe) Schwappach, Brett McManus; 20 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law Patty Karraker; and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret's family extends a special thank you to all of the staff and residents of Charles Gardens. Everyone went above and beyond to make them feel like family and provided as much assistance as possible throughout her time there.

Memorial donations may be made to the Church of Christ in Fairview Heights, IL or to Charles Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.

VISITATION- A visitation for Margaret will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 11:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M. at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, IL.

SERVICE: A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation, at 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens.