In Loving Memory of Margaret Lee Koontz

October 29, 1943 – June 15, 2026

Margaret Lee Koontz, age 82, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026. Born on October 29, 1943, in Viola, Arkansas, Margaret lived a remarkable life defined by her deep faith, her devotion to her family, and her overflowing love for her community.

A compassionate and loving follower of Jesus Christ, Margaret was an active and cherished member of Restoration Church in Springfield. There, she served faithfully as a dedicated prayer warrior, always eager to share His good message of hope with anyone she met. Her nurturing spirit extended beautifully into her work at Bailey Alternative High School, where she spent her time rocking the babies of young teenage mothers, providing the essential support they needed to finish their education.

Margaret was a natural storyteller and a true neighborhood connector who made friends easily wherever she went. Highly involved in her community, she was a familiar and joyful presence in the PTA, her church, the local bowling club, and neighborhood gatherings. She delighted in treating friends and community projects with her delicious baked goodies. Margaret absolutely loved Christmas and carried the generous spirit of the season with her all year long. She had a special fondness for cardinal birds and the color red, and she took great joy in listening to St. Louis Cardinals baseball games.

Above all, she was an amazing mother. She instilled in her family the importance of being kind, the value of gathering for family meals, and the beauty of loving others well.

She is survived by her beloved sons, Jeff Hawk and Steve (Michelle) Hawk; her loving stepchildren, Wayne (Linda) Koontz, Debra Payne, and Terri (Keith) Wilding; along with several cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry her memory forward. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Koontz, who passed away on October 17, 2020, and with whom she shared her life since 2000. She was previously married to Richard Hawk from 1971 to 1991.

Service Information:

• Visitation: Friday, June 19, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

• Funeral Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Restoration Church (910 W. Battlefield Rd., Springfield, MO).

• Interment: Margaret will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Henry Koontz, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield