Herrin- Antoinette Marie “Toni” Gayer, 74, of O’Fallon, formerly of Herrin, passed away at 3:32 AM, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon.
Antoinette was born on August 12, 1944 in DuQuoin to Vincent and Ann (Restivo) Riggio. She married Paul William “Bill” Gayer on November 15, 1969 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in DuQuoin. They shared 49 years 7 months and 10 days together.
Toni was retired from Herrin Unit #4 Schools where she taught first grade and second grade for 34 four years at South Side School and then later at the Herrin Community Elementary School.
She was currently a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O’Fallon and for many years prior a member of Our Lady of Mount Catholic Church in Herrin. Her strong faith set a wonderful example for her family. Toni was a loving and creative woman who enjoyed painting, crocheting, sewing, organizing projects for her husband to build, and planning fun activities for her grandchildren. She most appreciated time spent with her family and friends. Toni was a devoted mother, wife, and Nana who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include-
Husband- Paul William “Bill” Gayer of O’Fallon
Son- Andrew Gayer and wife Laura of St. Louis
Daughter- Jennifer Finck and husband Brian of O’Fallon
Six grandchildren:
Sophie, Jack, and Ryan Gayer of St. Louis
Jessica, Valerie, and Nathan Finck of O’Fallon, Illinois
Sister- Joann Gordon and husband Bert of Herrin
Brother- Sam Riggio and wife Nancy of DuQuoin
Sister in law- Mary Riggio of DuQuoin
Aunt and Uncle- Catherine and Harry Smith of St. Louis
Many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother- Steve Riggio.
The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church/ 316 West Monroe/ Herrin, IL. Fr. Ken Schaefer and Monsignor William Hitpas will concelebrate. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Friday, June 28, 2019 in the Gathering Room of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Inurnment will be held at a later date at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. Funeral arrangements were made at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin.
Memorial donations are suggested to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church- New School Fund and will be accepted at the church or Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home/ 201 S. 13th St/ Herrin, IL 62948. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit Hughes Funeral Homes