Margaret Eck

Margaret Lorraine (Gonterman) Eck, age 93, of Granite City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the home of her daughter Toni in Collinsville, surrounded by love and family.

Born on August 3, 1932, in Venice, Illinois, Margaret was the cherished daughter of the late Jesse and Mildred (Orris) Gonterman Sr. A woman of deep faith, she lived her life guided by love, kindness, and devotion to her family.

Margaret was proud to serve her community through her career with the U.S. government as a transportation specialist, where she worked with dedication until her retirement. She also enjoyed serving as an election judge, a role she carried out with the same sense of commitment and pride.

She was a woman with many passions—she loved creating crafts, traveling across the country to visit her daughters, and cheering for her beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Yet above all, Margaret’s greatest joy was her family. She had a gift for laughter, a heart full of love, and an unwavering devotion to those she held dear. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose warmth and spirit touched all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, John Gonterman and Jessie Gonterman Jr.; and her sons-in-law, Father Nicholas Andrews and Richard Tarquinio.

Margaret’s memory will forever be treasured by her loving daughters, Toni Andrews of Collinsville, IL, Teri Tarquinio of Columbus, OH, and Tami (Jim) Rush of Tarpon Springs, FL; her granddaughter, Megan Tarquinio; her great-granddaughter, Rome Bullock; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless friends who were blessed by her presence.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Irwin Chapel in Granite City. A celebration of her remarkable life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, also at Irwin Chapel, with Father Stephen Thompson officiating. Margaret will be laid to rest at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Margaret Eck lived a life filled with laughter, love, and faith. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the family she so dearly loved and in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.irwinchapel.com.

Obit Provided By:
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home