95 years old, Margaret May Haney of Fairbury, Illinois passed into the grace of God on July 1, 2026. The daughter of Clifford W. Gentes and Mildred Irene Nagel, was born on June 7, 1931. 

She was a member of the Chenoa High School graduating Class of 1949 and attended Illinois State University majoring in Home Economics. On September 16, 1951, Margaret married Duane E. Haney. They were devoted to each other sharing a loving life together for 74 years. Together they made their home in Chenoa on the family farm. Margaret was a farmer’s wife role model. She loved cooking, baking, and sewing. She would take meals to the field, serve food to the hungry hay baling crews, and haul grain to the elevators as needed. Margaret and Duane raised three children: Daryl, Denise, and Carol Jean.

Margaret played a supportive role in the founding of the Space Age Pioneers 4-H club, which began in their home. Margaret was actively involved in Trinity Lutheran Church’s women’s bible study; she also stayed busy volunteering at Meadow’s Mennonite Nursing Home for 25+ years. In their later years, Margaret and Duane joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chenoa. She was a woman of strong faith. Margaret and Duane were honored to be selected Mr. and Mrs. Chenoa 4th of July.

Margaret was the most kind and loving mother anyone could ever wish for. She was always there for her children, nurturing them as they built their lives. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered. In addition to her parents, Margaret was proceeded in death by her husband, Duane. She is survived by their children, Daryl (Barbara) Haney, Denise (Aleandro) DiGianfilippo, and Carol Jean (Scott) Stansbury, beloved grandchildren Jennifer (AJ) Crowe, Tara Sabagul, Bryon, Mark, and Matt DiGianfilippo, Allison (Matt) Steele, Jon (Danielle) Gooding, Andy (Tandra) Gooding, Brad (Laura) Stansbury, 18 great grandchildren, and many dear relatives and friends.

Margaret’s funeral will be 11:00 am Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa with Pastor Kyle Ronchetto officiating. Burial will be in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, and 10:00 to 10:45 am on Thursday, prior to her service also at the memorial home in Chenoa.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chenoa; Fairview Haven or Serenity Villa, Fairbury.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff at Fairview Haven, the place where she called home for the past 6 years.

This obituary may be viewed, and a guest book signed, at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.