Marguerite Marie (Fandel) Gove

Marguerite Marie (Fandel) Gove, 64, of Peoria, IL, passed away at 5:00 am January 16, 2023, at home after a long battle with cancer. She was born March 13, 1958 in Peoria to Paul E. and Norma L. (Clark) Fandel. They and her nephew, Ellis Robbins, preceded her in death. She married Daniel S. “Dan” Gove on June 13, 1981 at St. Mary of Lourdes Church in Germantown Hills, IL.

She is survived by her husband, Dan; her daughter, Stephanie (Joe) Rybka of Oswego, IL; her son, Nathan (Megan) Gove of Rockton, IL; her daughter, Jaclyn (Dexter) Miksch of Parrottsville, TN; six grandchildren, Samantha, Jack, and Jonathan Rybka, Nora and Rose Gove, and Amelia-Marguerite Miksch; and three siblings, Wanda (Alan) Schoch of East Peoria, IL, Ninette (Tim) Robbins of Gurnee, IL, and Doug (Kim) Fandel of East Peoria, IL.

Marguerite graduated from Metamora Township High School and Illinois Central College with a graphic arts degree. Over the years she worked at Herb’s Farm Market, Multi-Ad Services, Mueller & Co., and Sanders Tool. She supported her family throughout their frequent moves to Tennessee, Switzerland, Chicago, and China as part of Dan’s career at Caterpillar.

Marguerite grew up in rural Metamora near the Fandel family farm where she developed a passion for gardening and yard work. She was in 4H and a lifelong Girl Scout, serving as a leader for her daughters’ troops. She enjoyed working in her yard, planting trees and flowers, and watching the birds (and squirrels) eat at her feeders.

Marguerite’s hard work ethic and organizational skills were legendary. She was considered a professional garage seller and held big garage sales each year with proceeds going to charity. She compiled thousands of family photos and genealogy records to create family history albums. In later years, she took charge of organizing Dan’s amateur racing, earning her the nickname “Crew Chief”.

The title she treasured the most was “Grandma”. Together they baked cookies, played cards, did puzzles, and explored the outdoors. She cherished the daily phone calls with her kids and grandkids. Marguerite will be dearly missed by her loving husband, children, and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff of Illinois CancerCare, the University of Chicago Medical Center, and OSF Home Hospice for their care through her long journey with cancer. Because of their efforts, her life was extended.

Recitation of the Rosary will be held from 3:30 pm until 4:00 pm with visitation to follow from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Mason Funeral Home, Germantown Hills Chapel, at 375 Old Germantown Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548.

A short visitation for family and out of town guests will be held from 8:00 am until 9:00 am at the Germantown Hills Chapel on Saturday, January 28, 2023.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, 424 Lourdes Church Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548 with Father Eric Bolek officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary of Lourdes Cemetery following mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation, https://illinoiscancercarefoundation.org or to the St. Jude Drive to Memphis fundraiser at http://events.stjude.org/dangove2023.

Mason Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Condolences can be made online at https://www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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