Sally L. Day, age 73, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away at 2:15 P.M. Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. She was born April 24, 1948, in Aurora, Illinois, the daughter of John and Hannah Taylor McNeil. On December 22, 1965, she married William McGowen in Wheaton, Illinois. They later divorced. On August 30, 1980, she married Phillip Michael “Mike” Day at Argyle State Park near Colchester, Illinois. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2009.
Sally lived in the Blandinsville area from 1971 until 1989. She then moved to the Stronghurst-Carman area where she lived until 2019, when she moved to West Burlington. She had various jobs throughout her life, most recently working as a bookkeeper for Shane Reed Electric in Stronghurst, and the Stronghurst Mill.
Sally was the former editor of the Blandinsville Star Gazette and Oquawka Current Newspapers. She was also a reporter for the Hancock-Henderson Quill Newspaper. When in Blandinsville, she was the first female volunteer firefighter in McDonough county, serving the Blandinsville Fire Department. She was active in many organizations and had served on the Henderson County Board, directed the local high school plays, and assisted with the Henderson County Fair. She was a member of the Raritan Baptist Church. Sally loved her family and friends, and had strong passion for life.
Survivors include two daughters: Mindi (Bruce) Beckman of Burlington, IA, Amy McGowen of Stronghurst, one son: Mackenzie (Brooke) Day of Carman, IL, a special daughter in New Zealand: Sarah White, two step sons: Mike (Pam) Day and Roy (Carla) Day, one step daughter: Tammy Day, five grandchildren: Shelby (Jesse) Palmer, Trey Bartlett, Devin Markham, Claire Day and Jon Day, two great grandchildren, Jensen and Jade Palmer, several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, and a special friend, Tom Sawyer of Avon, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Mike, one step son: Mark Day, and one step grandson.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the Raritan Baptist Church in Raritan, IL, with Dan Ashton officiating. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00 pm. Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, Blandinsville Fire Department, or to help the family with funeral expenses. Please visit banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.
