Marjorie Ann Jackson, 85, of Eureka, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025, surrounded by family.
Marjorie was born on July 18, 1939, to Spurgeon and Zelta Burch in Solo, Missouri. She married Norman Eugene Sigman on Nov. 10, 1957, and they welcomed one child, Kenny, into the world.
After becoming widowed from Norman in 1961 during a farming accident, she married Kenneth David Jackson on Feb. 6, 1965. After moving to Eureka, they had two children, Beth and Cathy.
Marjorie was involved in her community throughout her life. She volunteered at Eureka Hospital and was a cook at Eureka Middle School. She was a founding member of the Prairieland Gardeners and held a membership for 23 years. Every summer for several years, she maintained flowers at the Olio Township Cemetery and in planters outside Eureka Et Cetera shop, where she was a regular and used to bring in the mail every morning during her visit.
As an avid gardener, she worked hard in her flower beds and took pride in her home garden. She also enjoyed watching the birds who lived there. She had a passion for collecting and enjoyed hunting for antiques.
Marjorie also loved sewing quilts and clothes for herself and her children. But her true joy was found in spending time with her family. Her grandchildren remember her special turns of phrase, such as calling a long day a “large day,” nicknaming all of them “doodlebug” if they were being good (or she maybe just didn’t want to cycle through all their names) or telling them “I’ll jerk a knot in your tail” if they were doing something especially ornery. Most recently, her great grandchildren have been able to spend much cherished time with her. Even as her memory faded, she lit up when her great grandchildren visited.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her first husband, Norman Eugene Sigman; second husband, Kenneth David Jackson; as well as her parents, Spurgeon and Zelta; four brothers, Marvin, Donald, Harry and Jerald; brother-in-law, Paul Jackson; and brother-in-law, Homer Howard.
She is survived by brother, Frank (Norma) Burch; sister-in-law, Gloria Howard; her children, Kenneth (Edie) Jackson, Beth (Randy) Barnes and Cathy (Bill Myers) Cranford; seven grandchildren, Justin (Faustin) Jackson, Jamie Rocke, Kristen (Sam) Rokey, Ryan (Morgan) Jackson, Jessica Cranford, Angela (James) Grier and Matthew (Emma) Cranford; and 12 great grandchildren.
Private family burial will be held at Olio Township Cemetery in Eureka. Kevin Copeland will officiate the graveside service.
Argo-Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Eureka is handling arrangements for the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eureka Food Pantry. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.argoruestmanharris.com.
