Margaret E. Acciavatti, 89, of Decatur, left this earth to go home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2014, in her home with her family at her side.

Margaret was born April 18, 1925 in Decatur, the daughter of Donald and Helen Rose (McGonigle) Walker. A homemaker and member of Ss. James and Patrick Catholic Church, Margaret was a co-owner of Acciavatti Realtor with her husband Gino. She served as a volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital and St. Teresa's Fashion Pageant. She married Gino Acciavatti on October 9, 1948 in Decatur.

Mom grew up during the Great Depression and experienced many hardships during this time. She and her two older brothers "Eddie" and "Barney" faced the challenges of being both poor and Irish. When discrimination against European immigrants was vocal and visible, Mom and her brothers went without adequate food, clothing and medical attention many times during their school years. Uncle's Eddie and Barney were very protective of their baby sister and fought to protect her. Mother suffered slights at the hands of girls whom were well off; and this hurtful treatment at the hands of others was instructive to her and her children's character formation. She watched her brothers go off to war in our country's time of need. Mom and Dad married in 1948 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and soon moved to Springfield, Mo. Shortly thereafter they moved to Monett, Mo., on 90 dollars a month, they purchased a small farm and began to grow white grapes for Welch's. On 90 dollars they also bought a new Ford tractor. Mom drove the tractor until her 9th month of pregnancy. Their home was 2 rooms with no running water or electricity, no bathroom except an outhouse. They had a cow for milk and butter and chickens for eggs. With back breaking labor; seven days a week, they transformed a few wild grape vines into a profitable enterprise. A wood cook stove provided heat during the winter. They sold the farm in early May of 1951 and moved to Latham, IL. Within six weeks; while her husband was in Decatur at the Naval Reserve, and F-3, 136 MPH tornado ripped through the area on June 27, 1951. At 7:30 PM a loud roar alerted Mom to danger. She had her hair in curlers and she was in her nightgown when she grabbed her eight month old infant son and placed him on the floor. She covered him with her body and the house exploded. Mother and child were blown out of the 2nd floor bedroom and into the yard amidst power lines and piercing rain. Mom always said it was the grace of God that allowed her to find her child in the darkness. She picked up what she thought was his lifeless body and in the dark walked ½ mile to the highway. As God would have it; upon reaching the highway she saw her husband rendering first aid to people whose car had been slammed upside down by the tornado. Dad flagged down a passing motorist and had them take Mom and child to DMH. The family lost everything. The Decatur Chapter of the Red Cross supplied us with clothes, food, and temporary shelter. While Mom recovered; Dad started working three jobs to support his family. They bought a house for $2500. One year later, mother was pregnant with her son Tony. Her health required constant bed rest for five month and Tony was born two months premature. Dad almost lost both of them due to difficulties. Dad started in real estate in 1953 and Mom tried to chase down two very active sons. Mom and Dad agreed that for 2 years there would be no extras as Dad worked every day and night including holidays and to save enough to buy another home. Our home was filled with faith, courtesy, virtue, and memories of all that the last two generations had overcome. A deep reverence and appreciation for the things and person of God, respect for others, and the command to be a good steward of His blessings were priorities. Mom and Dad were the EPA and Justice Department long before the Fed's created one. We wasted nothing, paid our tithes, gave to others in need and always remembered whom it was that was the source of bounty. Their sons received love and discipline in large amounts. Mom learned to drive at age 32 in a 3 speed on the tree 54 Plymouth. As the 50's changed to the 60's; the Holy Spirit blessed us with new life with the birth of Andrea. Our parents were 40 when she was born. All of us were over joyed upon her arrival. Mom always looked for opportunities where she and Dad could bless others. Our parents cherished their vows and kept the spark alive with dancing, dinner, humor, and fellowship with their friends. Throughout the decades, Mom and Dad were refreshed by the friendship of Bill and Rita Raupp; John and Mary Grace Graham; Bob and Nell Boland; Bob and Peg Boaz; Bob and Mary Alice Langdon; and Allen and Frances Davis. We children are very grateful for the joy and beauty you brought to our parents life.

Mother immensely enjoyed her grandchildren and was always there to help and instruct as they grew into adulthood. Mom always loved flowers and birds, landscaping, and enjoyed watching the baby raccoons and foxes playing with their mother in the backyard. Mother stressed the importance of religion and politics, because she knew our conduct in our earthly friendships was of the highest quality when our vertical relationship with Jesus was in good shape. Mother was staunchly pro-life, pro-family, pro-military, and sacramental. Throughout her life, she comported herself with dignity, humility, elegance, joy, and most of all, a first love for her Creator. Mom fiercely loved Dad and was ever watchful over him during his years of infirmity. Mother was a Proverbs 31 wife, mother and citizen.

Surviving is her husband, Gino of Decatur, her children: Thomas G. Acciavatti of Decatur, Tony Acciavatti of Decatur, and Andrea (Paul) Bartels of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren: Alyssa Margaret (David) Overton, Anthony R. Acciavatti, Anina (Evan) Blankenship, Alexandra Acciavatti, and Graham C. Bartels; sisters-in-law: Ginetta Hanks and Rosetta Ellington of Decatur; special friends: Beverly Bahlman, Michael Bullock. Special family members: Pat, Gene Denison, Doreen Ferris, Deanne Cornelison, Jim McNally.

The family would like to thank Dr. N. Jatoi and Cheri Severe, RN; Dr. T.Addai, Dr. Kotwall, Walgreens Rt 36: Gary Calhoun,Van Frownfelter, Sara Karasch, Grace, Robin, Brooke, Chrissy, Julie, and all our caregivers along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

Pallbearers will be: Mark Walker, nephew, of Bosch Corp., Evan Blankenship, grandson-in-law, N&S Railroad, Nick Hardin, pastor of Gods Abundant Love Fellowship , James Foreman, Connor Co., Mack Wiley, retired from Connor Co, and Perry Marchisello, Tate & Lyle.

The family will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home; vigil prayer service will be at 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Margaret's life will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2014 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Rev. John Burnette celebrant. Entombment will take place in the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Decatur Chapter Red Cross or St. Patrick School Fund.

The Acciavatti family is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.

Obituary written by family members.


Decatur Herald 5/31/14