Peggy Kay Peters (86) of Effingham 

Peggy Peters, 86, of Effingham, IL, died peacefully on January 5, 2025, after reaching her 86th year.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham with Pastor John Taliwaga officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 prior to the service at the church. A private family burial will be at Big Prairie Cemetery in rural Carmi, IL at a later date. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests donations be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 203 E. Grove Ave., Effingham, IL 62401. Online condolences may be left by clicking here. 

Peggy was born on January 4, 1939, in Carmi, IL, the daughter of Ted and Gena (Becker) Doneghue. She married Warren Peters on August 12, 1967 and they enjoyed 47 years of love, laughter, and devotion. Peggy grew up in and attended school in Carmi. She had wonderful memories of dear relatives and friends and a carefree childhood in Carmi. Family was important to her and those bonds remained strong throughout her life. She attended Eastern Illinois University, earning a B.A. Degree in education. She also earned a M.S. degree in reading instruction from the University of Illinois. She taught first and second grade at Arthur, Arlington Heights, and Highland Park, Illinois. During their time in Northbrook, IL, Pete and Peggy made lasting friends and memories of Greenbriar get-togethers and new experiences of living in the suburbs of Chicago, but also of trips to their second home at Lake Egypt, hosting family and friends with boating, skiing, and just “hanging out”. Upon retirement, Peggy and Pete moved to Arkansas, where they enjoyed the rivers and lakes of the Ozarks, Pete’s garden, the local church, and their furry companions; but traveled to a myriad of places where they made many new friends, golfed, fished, hunted and visited family and old friends. They also attended Marine Corps reunions and set a goal of visiting every state of the U.S. They were definitely “people person” oriented and valued every connection they made in their journeys. They ended up in Effingham, close to the original family ties where they continued making new friends but always keeping family close. Peggy’s faith was ever a strong part of her persona. She was a very active member of Centenary United Methodist Church. She was always quick to volunteer or help out parishioners and friends and involved in many church organizations. She enjoyed her many church activities, golf, sewing, and ancestry studies. She was devoted to the dogs she and Pete shared and taught him that the best hunting dogs are treated as pets and integral members of the family. I am eternally grateful to her for this! Peggy was a beautiful person, inside and out, and a model for what a true Christian should strive to be. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. I will especially miss the talks we had where we would get so busy talking, we would miss breakfast and almost lunch.

Peggy, or “Pappy”is survived by stepdaughter, Karen Shea of Wheeling, IL; grandson, Mark (Bori) Cox of New York, NY; granddaughter, Heidi Andrews of Findlay, OH; great-grandchildren, Reed and Katie Andrews and Eva Cox; and step-granddaughters, Cathy Cox and Laurie Cox. Other survivors include cousins Betsy Watters, Lonnie, Jim and Ritchie Minor and cousins, Marylou, Mary Ann, and Bobbi.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved Pete, and by Patch, Jake, Katie I and II, Doc, Dottie, and Mandi.

It is a great comfort for those still living to know Peggy was greeted by wagging tails and open arms of all those who preceded her and were eagerly and joyfully waiting for her.