Margaret Ann Baker Eunice

St. Joseph - Margaret Ann Baker Eunice was born on July 27, 1938, in Sidney, and she passed into the arms of Jesus on Aug. 23, 2026.

Prior to her passing, Margaret raised her arms in song to Jesus, singing "He the Pearly Gates Will Open." In her final hours, she was surrounded by family, who prayed her home with hymns and gospel songs. She lovingly hugged her children and grandchildren, leaving them with precious words: "I love you and I'll be waiting for you."

Margaret gave her life to Jesus at a young age and attended Sidney Christian Church with her family. She was active at church and loved traveling to summer youth camps. Margaret graduated from Unity High School in Tolono in 1956 and faithfully attended class reunions at "the farm" with dear, lifelong friends.

Margaret's first job out of high school was at the University of Illinois, where she worked as a typist. She was later employed at R. H. Bishop Co. and then Busey Bank for 20 years, until she retired. Margaret was an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothes and wedding dresses for family and friends. She was a gifted pianist who played by ear and instilled a love for gospel music in her children and grandchildren. She had a beautiful alto voice and harmonized flawlessly.

Margaret was a true Midwesterner who loved farmland, gardening, country life, and Illinois basketball. Her family fondly remembers the age-old-question during visits, "Do you get the Illinois games?" Margaret enjoyed visiting the northeast, Gatlinburg, Savannah, and the Smoky Mountains, where she could attend gospel sings. Margaret loved her home church: Faith Church, in Urbana, of which she was a faithful congregant for decades.

After Jesus, Margaret loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren more than anything else, and she loved well. It is her presence that will be most missed. At the end of life, it is not material goods, degrees, or wealth that her family cherishes. It is the memories of her prayers, kind words, smiles, hugs, loving hands, and unconditional devotion that lives on in the hearts of her family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved son, Danny; her parents Everett and Velma; her son-in-law Patrick; and siblings: Rosalie, John, and Donald.

She is survived by her children: John, Kim, Kenneth, Vickie, Tammy, Karla, and Lori; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Kevin.

To our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, truly, you can say: "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace has led me home" (Amazing Grace, John Newton).

The funeral service for this dear lady will be on at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Faith Church, Urbana. Visitation will take place prior to the funeral from 10-11 a.m.

Memorials in honor of Margaret may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.