Obituary of Margaret Jane Culley

Margaret Jane Culley July 7, 1922 – September 2, 2021 Margaret Jane Culley was born in Zion, Illinois, on July 7, 1922; the second eldest of Scottish immigrants William and Christina (Malcolm) McCleary’s six children. Margaret passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 2, 2021, at the age of 99, at Rolling Hills Manor in Zion. Margaret attended the old Thirtieth Street grade school (now East School), and she was a member of the first graduating class of ZBTHS; Class of 1940. After high school, Margaret went to work in the Cost Department at the Zion Cookie Factory. On May 10, 1952, Margaret married Alec Culley (of Nottingham, England). They enjoyed 37 years of marriage, until his death on December 4, 1989. Margaret and Alec were blessed with two children, Kathleen and Wayne. They enjoyed traveling. She was a member of a weekly bowling league and enjoyed sewing. Margaret was honored by the local AARP for her part in sewing lap robes for residents of nursing homes and local shut-ins. Margaret was a life-long member of Zion’s Memorial United Methodist Church. She belonged to the Zion Women of The Moose Lodge and the Zion Park District Seniors Club. Margaret is survived by her daughter Kathleen (James) DeBoeuf of Davenport, IA, son Wayne (Kristy) Culley of Pleasant Prairie, WI, sister Pat Gilbert of Winthrop Harbor, and many nieces and nephews. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alec, her sisters Jean Hoyt and Christine Mihaljevic, and her brothers William and Harry McCleary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s name to the Memorial United Methodist Church of Zion. The family would like to thank the staff at Rolling Hills Manor for the wonderful care they provided for Margaret in the last years of her life. Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Memorial United Methodist Church, 2935 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL 60099 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Kwadwo Ntim will officiate. Margaret will be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park.