It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Ann (nee Gayer) Baughman, 79, on May 1, 2025, following a 6-year fight with ovarian cancer.
She was a dedicated wife to Charles M. Baughman and a loving mother to their three sons, Wade, Matt, and Chris.
Born in St. Louis, Mo., on June 14, 1945, as the third of four children to Paul and Matilda (Krill) Gayer. They lived in Zeigler, Ill., and she was proud of her small-town, southern Illinois upbringing where her father owned a small business, served as mayor, and worked for U.S. Congressmen Ken Gray and Paul Simon, and her mother worked for the U.S. Post Office.
She was passionate about following news, politics, and the Chicago Cubs, and she enjoyed playing bridge and reading. She was renowned for striking up conversations with people everywhere she went and was thoughtful about helping someone in need.
Margaret Ann, as her family called her growing up, graduated from Zeigler High School in 1963 and began working as a secretary at the SIU Carbondale College of Business Administration soon after. She met her future husband, then a business student at SIU, at a political fundraising event at the SIU Student Center for Illinois House Speaker Paul Powell.
Margaret and Charlie were married on Nov. 13, 1965, in Zeigler, where they welcomed all three sons before moving to Morton, Ill., Janesville, Wis., and Springfield, Ill. They resided in Springfield for 30 years, during which time she worked at the SIU School of Medicine, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and a law office. She was active at Christ the King Parish and school, supporting their sons’ classes by chaperoning field trips and helping the school with events and projects.
In retirement, Charlie and Margaret moved to O’Fallon, Ill. They became active in St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church and with various community organizations.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Charles, whom she affectionately called Chas or Charlie, and who was devoted to caring for her throughout her battle with cancer. She is also survived by her sons, Wade (Mike Ritter) of Ann Arbor, Mich., Matt (Angie) of Carbondale, Ill., and Chris (Iza) of Springfield, Ill. Additionally, two grandsons survive, Alex and Josh, both of Carbondale, whom she adored and was delighted to watch grow into young men.
Her three siblings, Marian Scuras of O’Fallon, Ill., Bill Gayer of O’Fallon, Ill., and Tom Gayer of Webster Groves, Mo., also survive, as do numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 pm, Thursday, May 8, 2025 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O’Fallon, Ill., and beginning at 10 am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at the church. Yesterday’s Kids will conduct a walk-through at 10:15 am, Friday, at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Friday, at the church, with Fr. Nick Junker presiding.
Friends may gather after 10:30 am, Saturday, May 10, 2025 for a Graveside Service to begin at 11 am, at St. Aloysius Cemetery, with Fr. Eusebius Mbidoaka officiating, located near 2931 IL 149, between Royalton and Zeigler, Ill. near Margaret’s hometown.
Memorial donations are suggested to either of Margaret’s favorite charities: St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project. An online guestbook is available at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
