Marguerite Crain

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- Marguerite Crain, 95, of Murphysboro, formerly of Anna and Pulaski County, Ill., died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, at Oak Grove Rehab and Care Center in Carbondale, Ill.

She was born May 30, 1909, in Vienna, Ill., daughter of Arthur and May Murrie Throgmorton. She and George C. Crain were married June 18, 1931. He died July 14, 1987.

Mrs. Crain was a graduate of Mound City High School, Brown's Business College in Cairo, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago.

She was a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and with her husband founded Crain Funeral Homes in 1932 in Pulaski and Alexander counties. She remained active in the family business until her mid-80s. Earlier she was an equal partner in the business, managing the office and paper work for both the funeral homes and the Fruitville Telephone Co. and Pulaski Telephone Co., which were also family owned.

Mrs. Crain was a member of the United Methodist Church of Anna, and former member of Methodist churches of Mounds and Mound City, Ill. She also attended Villa Ridge Union Church many years. She was a 70-year member and past worthy matron of Caledonia Eastern Star, and past worthy high priestess of White Shrine of Jerusalem.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Elaine Crain of Anna, and Bill and Sharon Crain of Murphysboro. She was Me-Maw to her grandchildren and their spouses, Bryan and Suzanne Crain of Anna, Amy Crain and Shawn Miller of New York City, Joe and Ann Crain of Springfield, Ill., and Allison and Joey Turner of Pulaski, Tenn.; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley and Andrew Crain, Megan and Thomas Crain, Will and Rob Turner, and Gray Crain Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two brothers, Robert Throgmorton and Arthur "Junior" Throgmorton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Allen Campbell and the Rev. F.M. Speakman officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens.