Margaret Jane Wilmot Boyd Wendling, 92, of Rushville died at 10:10 p.m. May 23, 2020, at Rushville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.Margaret Jane Wilmot Boyd Wendling, 92, of Rushville died at 10:10 p.m. May 23, 2020, at Rushville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born July 17, 1927, in Frederick, the daughter of Reverdy Royal and Bertha Nelson Wilmot. She married Robert L. Boyd on March 9, 1947, in Frederick. She married Chalmer “Chuck” Wendling on Dec. 16, 2000. They preceded her in death.
She also was preceded in death by one infant brother, Billy Wilmot; and one son, William Douglas.
Surviving are five children, James R. (and Linda) of Spicewood Texas, Jon M. (and Marilyn) of Chicago, Melinda Jane Crum of Rushville, Craig W. (and Brenda) of Jacksonville and Thomas N. (and Jennifer) of Park Ridge; one stepdaughter, Sally Vallilo (and Thom) May of Moline; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one infant brother, Billy Wilmot; and one son, William Douglas.
She attended Frederick schools, and graduated from Rushville High School in 1945. She then attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rushville. She was a seamstress and made her career in interior design and home decorating.
She was a founding member of Pandora’s Playhouse and the Phoenix Opera House where she served as an officer. She was an active member of the Schuyler Arts Council and Two Rivers Arts Council. In the 1980s, she pursued her interest in theatre by participating in the New Tuners, a workshop in Chicago focused on developing writers and composers of musical theatre. She wrote the script for a musical adaptation of Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. She collaborated with composer Greg Opelka in writing “Charlie’s Oasis” a musical comedy. She spent two months producing “Charlie Bar” in Omsk, Russia and later published this experience in her memoir “Building Charlie Bar”. She also wrote and directed other plays such as “Reunion”, “We Remember the Scrippses”, “Hard Road” and many others.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Rushville City Cemetery with David Haney officiating. The service may be viewed on the funeral home website or Facebook page. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville. Masks and social distancing are required.
Memorials may be made to the Phoenix Opera House or Pandora’s Playhouse.
Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus