Peggy L. Schuster

IN MEMORY OF: PEGGY L. SCHUSTER Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive (Old Route 13), Murphysboro, Illinois Peggy L. Schuster — loving wife and mother, beloved grandmother, sweet great-grandmother (“G.G.”), devoted friend, proud community volunteer, faithful penpal, and pie maker extraordinaire — passed away at age 90 on December 11, 2022 at Illini Heritage Rehabilitation & Health Center in Champaign. Though she lived away from Southern Illinois at several points in her life, Murphysboro was always her home. She was born May 4, 1932 in Murphysboro to Leonard and Iva (Koenig) Watkins, grew up near Murphysboro’s Riverside Park, and graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in 1950. On November 5, 1951 Peggy married Louis H. Schuster, a boy she’d known since childhood, as they’d grown up across the street from each other. They shared 50 years together, raising two children, fishing at Lakes Murphysboro and Kinkaid, growing a vegetable garden and fruit trees (pie filling!) in their backyard, and — later in life — spoiling four grandkids. Peggy worked for many local businesses and was a fixture at Hart’s Pharmacy in downtown Murphysboro until her retirement. Peggy is remembered for her extensive collection of Peanuts keepsakes — Snoopy, her favorite character, is a loyal and loving friend, just like she was — and her volunteer work with local organizations, including the United Methodist Church of Murphysboro, the American Legion Auxiliary, St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary, and Meals on Wheels. Peggy is survived by her children, Roberta McElmurry of Ft. Wayne, IN and Louis Schuster, Jr. and Debbie Mathney of Springfield; grandchildren Sara (Angel) McElmurry, Craig Schuster, Susan (Dan) Westrick, and Nicole (David) Hayes; and five great-grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends who will miss her terribly. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son-in-law (Rick), and an infant son. Cremation rites have been accorded and Peggy is now at home in Murphysboro. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 with visitation from 11am-12pm and service immediately following at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home at 12pm with Pastor Marty McMichael officiating. A private inurnment will be in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Donations may be made in Peggy’s memory to the United Methodist Church of Murphysboro, the Murphysboro American Legion Auxiliary, or St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary.

Peggy L. Schuster

February 20, 2023