Marjorie Headley Butler, age 86, died peacefully at her Monmouth,
Illinois home of almost 60 years on Easter Sunday April 12, 2020.
Marjorie was born April 30, 1933 in Terre Haute Township, IL to Clara
Florence Headley (Nee Johnson) and Joseph Henry Headley. Marjorie grew
up in the country, living on farms in Hancock and McDonough counties.
She was an accomplished pianist and singer from a very early age. She
sang in choirs and oratorio societies, performed solos and duets with
her husband and daughter, and accompanied many singers and
instrumentalists on both piano and organ. In high school she accompanied
the male chorus at the the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) in
Kansas City, MO.
Marjorie was the President of her high school Junior Class and
successfully led a fundraising initiative for an all-expenses-paid
10-day senior class trip for all seniors to Biloxi, MS. In high school
she was a delegate to the National Future Homemakers of American (FHA)
convention in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from La Harpe High School
in 1951 as Salutatorian.
Marjorie attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a B.S.
in Home Economics in 1955 from the College of Agriculture. She lived in
McKinley Hall on Wright Street. At the University of Illinois she was
President of the Home Economics Council and worked on the staff of the
Illio, the University of Illinois yearbook. She also sang in the
McKinley Presbyterian Church choir.
After graduation she became an Assistant Home Advisor for Warren County
where she worked with 4-H clubs, among other duties, until her marriage
to Ralph David Butler, of Rockford, Illinois, on June 23, 1956 in the
First Presbyterian Church of Macomb, IL.
After her marriage, Marjorie lived at the Naval Ammunition Depot in
Crane, IN while Ralph was serving in the Navy. While there Marjorie
played the organ for the naval base chapel. Marjorie and Ralph moved to
Ann Arbor, MI in 1957 and Marjorie was manager of the Country House
furniture store in Ypsilanti, MI while Ralph was in law school. She
sang in the First Presbyterian Church choir and their daughter Ann Marie
was born in Ann Arbor.
In 1960 the couple moved to Monmouth, IL where their son Timothy Charles was born. In Monmouth she served for 3 years on the first-ever Warren Achievement School Board and was the first secretary of the Board; was a member of Warren County Home Economists for 12 years and served 2 years as President; was a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church serving on all of the boards of the church: on the Session as an ordained Elder, as a Deacon, and as a Trustee. She taught Sunday School for 10 years,
taught Bible School for 9 years, and was director of music for elementary-age children. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maple Leaf Community Concern series for 7 years; a Crimson Clan volunteer; a Head Start Volunteer; helped with the fund drives for the United Way, the American Cancer Association, and the American Heart Association; and was a member of OGM. Marjorie was an active member in P.E.O. for over 50 years, having been initiated into Chapter E, Monmouth in 1967. As a charter member of Chapter LE, Monmouth which was founded in 1969, she served as President (twice), Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Recording Secretary. Marjorie served as the Chair of the Illinois State P.E.O. Scholar Project for three years. She was the secretary and office manager of her husband’s law office for twenty years until her retirement in 1998. Since 1972, the couple has vacationed in Frankfort, MI at the Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA). In her retirement she enjoyed several trips to Canada and European countries.
Marjorie is survived by her husband Ralph of Monmouth, IL; her daughter
Ann Finnegan (Tom) of Champaign, IL; her daughter-in-law Donna Dunlap
Butler; her brother Charles Headley (Carol) of Columbia, MO; and her
brother Royce Headley (Joyce) of Macomb, IL; her sister-in-law Linda
Butler Lantz and brother-in-law Conrad Lantz, Rockford, IL and by many
cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was predeceased in death by her parents, Henry (1956) and Florence
(1984), her youngest brother Myron (1996) and her son Timothy (2011).
Marjorie was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, niece, aunt, sister, and
friend, full of love and life. She is deeply missed. GIfts in memory of Marjorie may be directed to Chapter LE P.E.O. or the Warren County Library.
A private graveside service will be conducted and a memorial service
will be held at a later date. For more information, or to leave a
remembrance of Marjorie, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
