Marsha L Hughes

Marsha L. Hughes Obituary



Marsha Lou Hughes, 65, quietly passed away on Tuesday evening, October 8, 2019, at home with her loving family after a courageous battle with ALS.



Services will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 12 at Murdale Baptist Church in Carbondale with the Reverend Paul L. Hicks officiating. Burial will be in Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, Illinois. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the church on Saturday.



Memorials may be made to the ALS Association, Murdale Baptist Church, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.



Marsha was born June 10, 1954 in Du Quoin, Illinois to Pete and Joyce (Tyner) Shapkoff. Her stepfather was Bill Shoemake. She married Kenneth R. Hughes on August 25, 1973, at the First Baptist Church in Christopher, Illinois, and he survives.



She is also survived by their three children, David, Jonathan, and Megan, all of Carbondale. Her mother, Joyce Shoemake, survives her and lives in Carterville. Marsha’s surviving siblings are her three sisters and her brother: Christy and Mark Collins of Carterville; Kathy Shay of Carbondale; Nancy and Tom Bates of O’Fallon, Illinois, and Scott and Amy Shapkoff of Energy. Among her surviving nieces and nephews are Ryan, Natalie, Eryn, Cerise, and Shane and their families. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Marilyn of Carbondale. Her father and stepfather preceded her in death.



Marsha graduated from Christopher Community High School and then graduated from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale with a Bachelor of Arts in Education after returning with her husband from overseas duty in the United States Air Force in late 1979. Marsha and Ken traveled to the Holy Land when they were in the military, and she wrote richly detailed letters to family back home.



She was saved and baptized at First Baptist Church in Christopher, Illinois, on September 26, 1965. She and her sisters sang for many church and community events in Christopher as they were growing up. A current member of Murdale Baptist Church, she regularly attended Sunday services with Ken by her side.



Marsha faithfully studied the Bible with Ken, hosted a Bible study in her home, nurtured her children in their faith and schooling, and helped at many of their school events. As a wonderful and loving wife and mother, she supported her husband in his work and community activities, always supported her children by attending all their programs, concerts, and plays, and cheered the loudest at David, Jonathan, and Megan’s sport games: soccer, volleyball, track, football, baseball, and softball.



Marsha was a substitute teacher and served as a parent volunteer in Carbondale schools. She assisted numerous organizations with enthusiasm and dedication. In her active years, she was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter KZ and served as its secretary. Marsha was an excellent seamstress, crocheting afghans, creating wall hangings, pillows, and wreaths for family and sewing costumes for her children. Her hospitality and love extended to family gatherings for holidays and birthdays with delicious meals and specially decorated cakes, receptions for families after the children’s holiday programs, and treats for her children’s school activities.



Marsha was a woman of great faith, courage, strength, and love.



Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a special story or memory of Marsha, please visit, www.meredithfh.com.