Margaret Alga Sims

Margaret Alga Sims, 67, of Galesburg, died at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at home. Margaret was born August 13, 1943, in Victoria, the daughter of Ollie F. and Ileen M. Barfield.  She married George "Sonny" Bernhart on August 13, 1961, he preceded her in death in 1970.  She later married Larry Sims of Galesburg, in 1976, he survives.  Also surviving are three sons; David (and Lisa) Bernhart, Michael (fiancé Deborah Hovind) Bernhart, and Bradley (fiancé Sandy Clark) Sims, all of Galesburg; a daughter-in-law, Laurie Bernhart; two brothers, Eugene (and Jan) Barfield of Orlando, Florida, and Roger (and Vicky) Barfield of Gastonia, North Carolina; and one sister, Kathy (and Chris) Dunemann of Galesburg.  She is also survived by twelve grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one son Carl Leroy Bernhart.  Margaret was a graduate of Galesburg High School.  She retired after working over 30 years at Maytag.  Margaret was a faithful supporter and member of the Friends of the Galesburg Public Library, Red Hat Society, Book’em book club, and the Literacy Coalition at Carl Sandburg College.  She was a big fan of George Strait and John Wayne and loved going to pow-wows and rendezvous’.     Funeral services will be held at Watson Funeral Home, Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Leroy Torres officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.  Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Galesburg Public Library.