Marcia "Marty" McCarter

Peoria, IL – Marcia G. “Marty” McCarter, 78, of Chillicothe, IL formerly of Plainfield, IN and Indianapolis, IN passed away on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.  Marty was born on October 3, 1942 in Plainfield, IN, to Robert S. “Bob” and Eloise Hopkins Castetter.  She graduated from Plainfield High School in 1960; and was a past member of Job’s Daughters and a member of Plainfield Friend’s Meeting (A Quaker Church). 

Marty is survived by her partner, Dean Hayden, her children: Robert Dale McCarter, Francine Deanne (David) Bertram, and James Arnold McCarter, Jr., and her sister, Anita (Donald) Abplanalp.  She was a grandmother to Ravyn Nicole (Jim) Stadick, Christopher David Archdale, James Arnold McCarter, III, and Haley Paige McCarter; a great-grandmother to Alba Jane Stadick, Maggie Jo Archdale, and Maple June Stadick.  And, she was an aunt to Dana (Steve Diggs) Abplanalp and their daughter, Samara; and Dan (Nicole Collings) Abplanalp and their twins, Amelia and Lucas. 

Preceding her in death were her parents and her great-grandson, Gavin Michael Klein. 

Marty retired as a teacher’s aide from Chillicothe Elementary Center (Chillicothe, IL).  Her compassion influenced and touched so many lives, that many of her students stayed in contact with her well into their adulthood. 

Marty had a passion for playing the piano and organ, and was in much demand for church services, weddings, and any other special occasion where someone wanted to hear her play.  During the summers while residing in Indianapolis, gospel, contemporary, and melodies from musicals would resonate throughout the neighborhood.  Or neighbors would hear her blowing a silver whistle in three distinct patterns depending on which child she was trying to call home. 

During the fall, the sound of steam escaping from a pressure cooker and the wonderful smells of fruits and vegetables being canned filled her home while boxes of mason jars, lids, and rings were piled high on the kitchen table and counters.  Her cupboards were always full, and jars gifted throughout the year. 

Before her health declined, Marty loved to knit and crochet, spin and die wool to make her own yarn, embroider, create crafts using gourds, as well as draw Zentangle designs.  She and Dean loved to travel to antique tractor shows, at times wearing period costumes, where Dean would display his ‘toys’ and Marty would show-off some of her projects; all the while camping out and roughing it. 

But most important to Marty was her love of family. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this new path in their lives. 

Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 17, 2021 in the Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield, where friends may call on Saturday from 1:00 pm until service time at 2:00 pm.    

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL  60601

Location of burial will be Friends Grove Quaker Cemetery in Toledo, IL at a later date.

This will also include a live stream for those that are not able to attend.

Live Stream https://my.gather.app/remember/marcia-marty-mccarterhttps://my.gather.app/remember/marcia-marty-mccarterhttps://my.gather.app/remember/marcia-marty-mccarter