Published on December 18, 2025 6:13 am
Last Updated on December 19, 2025 2:24 pm
Margaret A. “Margie” (Clayton) Apke, 89 of Effingham, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorial donations may be given to St. Anthony Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Margie was born September 1, 1936 in Teutopolis, the daughter of Alphonse and Sophia (Hank) Hartke. She married Arlen Clayton on August 25, 1956, who preceded her in death in 2001. She later married Don Apke, who also preceded her in death. Margie was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women.
Margie is survived by her daughters, Deb (Tim) Thoele of Teutopolis, Linda (Todd) Bryant of Mission Viejo, CA, and Brenda (Bob) Jones of Effingham; sons, Richard (Julie) Clayton of Sigel, Kevin (Sarah) Clayton, and Steve Clayton, both of Effingham; 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; siblings, Sally Wakefield, Patricia (Bob) Poston, Phillip (Carol) Hartke; and sisters-in-law, Eileen Hartke, Charlene Hartke, Joyce Vahling, Joann Hartke, Darlene Freeman, and Cathy Clayton.
Margie was preceded in death by her parents, husbands; her sisters, Mary Lou Vahling and Elvira Verdeyen; and her brothers, Gerald, Francis, Chuck, and Michael Hartke.