Margaret Lynn (Berry) McGiffen passed away peacefully on October 29, 2021 at 77 years old. Margaret was born February 17, 1944, in East St. Louis, IL to Harold “Huck” W. Berry and Helen Louise (McDonald) Berry. Margaret was the fourth child of Huck and Helen. David Earl was born in 1938, Myrna Kay in 1940, and Wallace Brian in 1943. Wally was only ten days old when he died.
At six months old, her family moved to Washington, IN for her dad’s job as a B & O policeman and Indiana became home.
Margaret married David Allen McGiffen on July 20, 1968 in Washington, IN. They lived in Virginia for just a few weeks and then moved to Clovis, NM as Dave was in the Air Force. Margaret worked at the First National Bank of Clovis and learned to make rabbit for dinner that Dave and his servicemen friends would hunt as money was tight. When Dave left the service, they moved back to Indiana.
Margaret and Dave made a home near Verne, IN where they raised three children. David Allen II was born in 1971, Christine Lynn in 1972, and Daniel Duke in 1976. Margaret was a full-time mom- driving carpool, leading Girl Scouts, helping with Cub Scouts, and making sure her kids were happy. Most weekends were spent at her family’s farm in Parkersburg, IL. Many happy memories were made there with Huck and Helen.
Margaret and Dave started Dave’s Wrecker Service in April 1982 with two old heavy-duty wreckers. Dave passed away in 1999, and Margaret kept the business thriving with Duke running the shop. Margaret’s head for finance and managing the business was excellent as the business has grown annually.
Margaret kept her mind as sharp as a tack watching Game Show Network and working crosswords. Jeopardy was one of her favorites. Margaret was not someone you wanted to challenge in a trivia matchup. She loved her two fat cats, Char Char and Mousie. She was active in her church, First Christian Church, attending weekly until Covid shutdowns took place. She was also a member of ITWA.
Margaret’s greatest joy and biggest part of her life were her five amazing grandchildren; Sydney Bonolyn is 20, Aubree McKinzee is 18, David Layne is 16, Mackinlee Jean is 10, and Sophia Lynn is 8.
She is survived by her daughter Christine, her husband Josh Magruder, son Duke, his wife Richelle, five grandchildren, her brother, David Berry, sister-in-law Margaret Ann McGiffen, sister-in-law Andrea Kaskus, sister-in-law Lucy Martindale, brother-in-law Al Martindale, nieces and nephews: Scott Berry, Mark Berry (Suzanne), Ken Berry (Jennifer), Gordon Keith JR, Katherine Fabijanic (Larry), Beth Jordan (John), Julie Clark (Bob), Jeff Garrard (Sheri), Meredith Martindale, Phil Martindale, and many great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband David, son Davy, parents, brother Wally, sister Myrna, brother-in-law Gordon Keith, sister-in-law Linda Berry, sister-in-law Joetta Garrard, and step-niece Kim Trayweek.
A visitation will be held at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home on Monday, November 8, 2021 from 11am to 2pm. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 8, 2021 at 2pm with John Jordan officiating with a graveside at Memorial Park following the service. In lieu of flowers, Margaret has requested donations to First Christian Church – Disciples of Christ, Helping his Hands Disaster Relief, or your favorite charity in her name.
