Margaret Fay Gaither

Margaret Fay Gaither, 96 of Taylorville, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Taylorville. She was born on March 24, 1930, in Gridley, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence and Marjorie (Legg) Weber. She married Robert C. Gaither on March 23, 1950, in Fairfield, and he preceded her in death on February 4, 2013. Fay worked in many roles throughout her life including nursing home administration, in-home daycare, a school secretary and as a bank teller. Fay attended the Taylorville First United Methodist Church. She was a talented baker and cake decorator who was proud to provide cakes for countless celebrations of family and friends. She was passionate about genealogy and documenting the lives of her family. Fay loved to read and was a prolific canner of produce. She was also a talented seamstress who enjoyed creating anything from clothing for her family to doll clothing.
She is survived by her daughters: Anne Simpson (Bill) and Mary S. Blakeman both of Taylorville; grandchildren: Michael Gaither (Lauren) of Naperville, Cindy Gaither-Woods (Robynn) of Ottawa, Kansas, Kris Valenti (Zach) of Rochester, and John R. Blakeman (Elizabeth) of Chatham; great grandchildren: Meghan Gaither, Courtney Gaither, Addison Gaither, Corynn Fisher-Woods, Emelia Valenti, and baby Blakeman; siblings: Harold Weber of Mill Shoals, Stanley Weber of Mexico, Missouri, Wilberta Gregory of Centralia, Joyce Snidle of Albion, and Barbara Evans (Dan) of Sims; daughter-in-law: Jan Gaither of Chatham; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son: Michael Gaither; and siblings: Glenn Weber, Carl Weber, Sam Weber, Lloyd Weber, and Lynda Gray.
A funeral service for Fay will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville with Pastor Sheryl VanDyke officiating. The visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service and burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Heart Failure Patient Foundation or Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation. McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.