Marcia "Jean" Limkeman

Marcia (Jean) Limkeman, age 82, of Newport, North Carolina formerly Mt. Sterling, Illinois, passed at 8:32 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2024.  She was a resident of Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, North Carolina.

Jean was born August 17, 1941, in Galesburg, Illinois to Archie A. and Martha M. Vancil.  She was married to Harold H. Limkeman on November 9, 1963.

Jean was known for her endless generosity, love, hugs, beautiful blue eyes and contagious smile. She was an extremely hard worker, a master electrician, talented hairstylist, horsewoman and wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.  A beautiful singer, ferocious reader and super intelligent person, Jean could fix it and/or engineer a design for most any want, need or problem as well as confidently teach you anything she knew if you asked.   

In Jean’s late teens and early 20s she became a self-taught electrician, repairing her mother’s jukeboxes and vending machines with ease; as well as, one of the first women to participate in harness racing in the state of Illinois.  Later she would be employed with Mobil Chemical in Jacksonville, Illinois for 20+ years becoming a certified electrician and retired from the same field with Cargil in Beardstown, Illinois at the age of 70. 

In her earlier years she would fight for equal rights through the court system for her own advancement in the electrical field on the bases of her ability, knowledge and hard work.  Upon winning she helped to pave the way for women that followed, to more easily participate and advance in both a career in the electrical field and the racing circuits without prejudice, both of which were frowned upon for women to do at that time in history. Jean was a courageous and strong woman role model.

Jean was a member of Brice’s Creek Bible Church in New Bern, North Carolina and formerly First Baptist Church in Mt. Sterling, Illinois.   She had a kind and forgiving heart and you will rarely find another soul as trustworthy and gentle as hers. Jean loved her children, grandchildren and Jesus.  She was drawn to serve and care for others.  She would anonymously give what she most likely could not afford, to support the Church, family and children in general and that would include energy, emotion and/or money.  

Jean is survived by her (8) children: Sheri Kelley (Kevin), Christina Kerr (Jim), David Limkeman, James Limkeman, Linda Howard (Gary Howard, deceased), Travis Limkeman, Larry Limkeman and Carla Limkeman; (1) sister LuAnn Sloniger (Harvey); (14) grandchildren: Gariann Crane, Stacie Owens, Dustin Thomas, Gina Kerr, Stephanie Jones, Melissa Field, Brent Clark, Grant Kelley, Tabitha Limkeman, Jessica Limkeman, Joshua Limkeman, Megan Limkeman, Caleb Limkeman, Samuel Limkeman; (11) great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, (1) son Victor Limkeman, (2) brothers Larry Vancil and James Vancil, (1) grandson Toby Limkeman, (1) nephew Mark Sloniger.

Per her request, cremation will be accorded and a Celebration of Life Memorial, for family and close friends, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at The First Baptist Church in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. 

Public visitation will begin one hour prior and go from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Private inurnment will be held at a later date in the Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois where she will be laid to rest with her husband. 

Per Jean’s wishes, memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to St. Jude’s Research Hospital and may be donated at the link below.   Marcia Jean Limkeman St. Jude Memorial

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Morehead City, N.C.