Margaret Payton

Margaret E. Armstrong Payton, 88, passed away on July 3, 2017, with her family by her side.Margaret was born December 31, 1928 in Macon, Illinois, daughter of James Russell and Elsie Angeline Miller Armstrong.She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School, Class of 1947.She married Jack E. Payton on September 19, 1948, in Decatur, Illinois. After their marriage, they moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, then to Jackson, Tennessee, and eventually returned home to Decatur.Jack preceded her in death on July 11, 1983, after 35 years of marriage.She then joined lives with Thomas T. “Ted” Stone in 1985. He preceded her in death on February 23, 2010, after 25 years together.Margaret worked at A.E. Staley, retiring on March 31, 1987, after 40 years of service.She is an active member of First Lutheran Church.She enjoyed painting crafts for the St. Mary’s Scholarship Fund and volunteering in the gift shop for the past 25 years, logging 7,419 volunteer hours. Margaret was a member of Hilltoppers, the Staley Women’s Club, and the Staley Retirees’ Club serving as a Board member for several years. She formerly served as the Treasurer of the Ralph G. Long Chapter of Credit Unions, and has been a member of the Guiding Light Chapter 1016, Order of the Eastern Star for 49 years.She loved to travel, and among her most memorable trips were those to Ireland, Germany, Alaska, and Hawaii.Margaret leaves three children: Stephen M. Payton of Decatur, Timothy L. (Beverly) Payton of Colorado, and Susan M. (William) Hall of New York; several cousins; five nephews: David, Kevin, Gary and Robin (Jeannie) Bergland, all of Texas, and Mark (Norma) Boughter of Springfield, and two nieces: Diana (Kevin) Kuklok of Tennessee and Rita Welker of Granite City; many great nephews, great nieces, great-great nephews and great-great nieces; and countless friends.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Eleanor Elaine Brown and Norma Jean Welker, sister-in-law and husband, Barbara Joan Payton and Ralph Bergland, two nieces, Glenna Roper and Pamela Welker, and one nephew, Dennis Welker.Most importantly, Margaret was a woman of faith who lived a charitable life always treating others with compassion and kindness. Her desire was to live life selflessly – so help a stranger in need, make someone laugh, or hug your loved ones closely in honor of her memory.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice, the First Lutheran Church food pantry or international health and development network, the Mid-Illinois Chapter of Faith in Action, or the Shriners Hospital for Children.Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 8, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday, July 7, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Those who are family and friends of Margaret will miss her compassionate soul, contagious laughter, strong will, and steadfast love for others. "
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