Margaret J. Valentine

Margaret J. Valentine, age 72, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 at 4:30 a.m. in Pinckneyville Community Hospital, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Margaret was born on April 26, 1942 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a daughter to Bernard and Maxine Fay (O'Keefe) Brand. On Sept. 6, 1958, she married Howard J. Valentine at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Todds Mill, Ill., and he survives. She was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Church, Todds Mill, Ill. Margaret began her career as a seamstress at Pinckneyville Garment Factory, Pinckneyville, Ill., and then at Country Set, Du Quoin, Ill., which later became known as Bridal Originals. She was a member of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union and enjoyed camping, gardening, hunting, four-wheeling, feeding her birds and squirrels and spending quality time with her family and friends. Margaret stayed positive and always had a smile on her face, even through her battle with cancer. She was a firm believer in the importance of family, faith and values.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Howard J. Valentine of Pinckneyville, Ill.; one son, Douglas (Connie) Valentine; two daughters, Debbie (Steve) McKinstry and Darlene (Rudy) Stowers, all of Pinckneyville, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Stephanie) Valentine, David (Rachel) McKinstry, Lindsey (Reggie) Epplin, Jon McKinstry, Kacie (LePoris) Jackson, Brandy Houghland, Ashley (Robbie) Lunnemann, Marissa Stowers and Hunter Stowers; three great-grandchildren, Chesney Epplin, Madalyn Lunnemann and Jackson McKinstry and one step- great-grandson, Alex Hagene.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Magdalen, Todds Mill, Ill., on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Jim Nall officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery, Todds Mill, Ill.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill., on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Rosary will be recited at the funeral home on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Center - Hope Lodge or to Masses.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.