Peggy Darlene Craig Bost

Peggy Darlene Craig Bost departed from her earthly body into the glorious streets of Beulah Land at 12:30 a.m., Sunday, June 9, 2019. She passed as she would have wanted, quickly and peacefully. She was a woman of strong Christian faith and was at peace with her life and her relationship with her Lord. She loved God, her husband of 70 years, her children her grandchildren with a love that was pure and complete. Her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes will be missed by the many family and friends she leaves behind. Family and Friends may share in the rejoicing of her life well lived at Peggy’s church home, Elm Street Baptist Church, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14, and join in the celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, also at the church. Peggy was born June 12, 1933, to Milton Keller Craig and Margaret Shute Craig (Lueker) in Pinckneyville, Illinois. Born into a family of many grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, the stories of the antics of growing up in the hills of Pinckneyville encircled by her family were abundant. Peggy had said that she grew up poor, but everyone was poor, so no one really noticed. Peggy was a member of the Pinckneyville Panther Cheerleading Squad that cheered for the 1948 State Champion Basketball Panthers, a time in her life about which she reminisced and of which she was always proud. Peggy’s roots run deep in Pinckneyville tradition and her love for her family and friends there. She would commonly remind her family that she knew Duster Thomas when he was more than a name on the gymnasium wall. After the untimely death of her father, she and her sister, Sherry, welcomed the addition of a step-father, along with step-brother, Doug, and baby step-sister, Dana, when her mother was re-married to George Lueker, but the word “step” was not to be a part of her vocabulary and she embraced this new family addition with love and complete devotion. On July 9, 1949, Peggy married the dashing young truck driver from Murphysboro, Wiley E. “Gene” Bost and moved to Murphysboro to set up her home. Next month, she and Gene would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The Korean Conflict brought change to their marriage when Gene was drafted into the United States Army, but young Peggy travelled to Salzburg, Austria to live with her soldier husband for a year. Other than that brief time in the military, Peggy spent the rest of her life living in Murphysboro. From this union four children were born, fourteen grandchildren and twenty two great-grandchildren, twenty living (so far). Although she did not complete her high school education at PCHS, she did go on to attain her GED and attended John A. Logan College as an alternative student, taking classes in general studies and Psychology. Peggy had worked in the past as a manager for Todd’s Laundry, a pharmacy assistant at Hart’s Pharmacy and for various retail establishments in and around Murphysboro and Carbondale. Peggy was active as a member of Elm Street Baptist Church for many years. She taught Sunday School, worked as the nursery coordinator and kept the Sunday School records, all positions that she served with dedication. Of all the things that Peggy enjoyed in her life, she was happiest when she was holding a baby or spending time with her grandchildren. Each of her grandchildren knew that they were the favorite. In addition to her husband, Gene, Peggy is survived by three sons, Milton (Marcia) Bost of Chatham, IL, Mike (Tracy) Bost and Daniel (Judy) Bost and one daughter, Deborah (Mike) Pittman, all of Murphysboro. Her sister, Sherry (Don) Margenthaler, Naples, FL, brother, Doug (Betty) Lueker of Nashville, IL and sister, Dana Epplin of Mt. Vernon, IL, sister-in-law Jacqui Bost of Murphysboro, brother-in-law Bob (Rose) Bost of Vergennes, IL, sister-in-law Mary Lou (Jim) Roberts of Murphysboro, Fourteen grandchildren, Dafney Bost, Lewisville, TX, Dirk (Jennifer) Bost, Gilbert, AZ, Michael (Sara) Pittman, Columbia, IL, Braden (Dona) Bost, Renton, WA, Steven (Betsy) Bost, W.J. (Megan) Pittman, both of Murphysboro, Kasey (Travis) Fred, DeSoto, IL, Gavin Bost and Nathan Bost of Springfield, IL, Zachary Pittman, Yuma, AZ, Kaitlin (Chad) Rose, Murphysboro, Danielle (Andrew) Kamerud, Cincinnati, OH, Craig Bost, Murphysboro, and Caleb (Jarissel) Bost, Frederick, MD. Twenty Great-grandchildren, Ava, Clara, Dorian and Phoebe Bost, Molly and Eve Pittman, Zoey Cox and Eli and Gage Pittman, Wiley, Stanley, Abraham and Birdie Bost, Spencer, Lydia, Sydney, Londyn and Sylvia Fred, Lilly and Tinley Rose. And, many nieces and nephews. Peggy was preceded in death by her father, mother, (step)father, and infant great-granddaughters, Hallie and Ellianna Fred, daughter-in-law, Debra Wahn Bost, In-laws Wiley J. and Hallie Bost and brother-in-law Bill Bost. The family would like to recognize the wonderful caregivers that have allowed Peggy and Gene to maintain independence in their home these past few years, Patricia Stanton, Janet Verbal, Carolyn Lingafelter, Aaron Freeman, Zachery Brown, Patricia Odom and Frances Hopkins. Memorials may be made to Elm Street Baptist Church.

Peggy Darlene Craig Bost

June 12, 1933 - June 9, 2019