CENTRALIA, Ill. � Margaret Elizabeth Bauer, 97, of Centralia, formerly of Cairo, Illinois, passed away Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at St. Mary�s Hospital in Centralia.

She was born March 26, 1920, to Charles and Mary Elsie Kendall Denton. She married Harry �Jack� Bauer on Dec. 24, 1942, in Blytheville, Arkansas, and they enjoyed 74 years of love and companionship. He preceded her in death Dec. 22, 2016.

Margaret was a graduate of Olive Branch (Illinois) High School and Southern Illinois University. She taught school for many years at Elmwood, Douglas and Bennett elementary schools. She was an active member of the Tigert Memorial Methodist Church, and enjoyed many years of fun with the friends she made there.

Survivors include a son, Richard �Dickie� Bauer (Denise) of South Fulton, Tennessee; a daughter, Carla Bauer (David Fell) of Centralia; two grandchildren, Casey Dixon and Mark Bauer; and a great-grandson, Gavin Dixon, all of Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Visitation will be held from noon until the time of service today at Crain Funeral Home in Cairo.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Doug Atkins officiating. Interment will follow at Beechwood Cemetery in Mounds, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tigert Memorial United Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.