Margaret Aileen Schlachter, 91, of Springfield, MO, only child of Edward Kirby and Aileen (Kengel) Kirby passed to heaven peacefully at Mercy Hospital on Thursday, May 26, 2022 after a six-month struggle with congestive heart failure. She was born June 23, 1930 in Ferndale, MI, a suburb of Detroit, and was baptized at Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, MI. Her Detroit relatives called her "Peggy."

Her early education was at St. Claire de Montefalco Catholic School in Detroit and the Pines Ursuline Academy in Chatham, Ontario. She received an Associate Degree at Meramec Community College in Kirkwood, MO and her college degree from St. Louis University. She received her Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Missouri and was a retired attorney from the Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District since 2000.

Margaret married Paul Smith Schlachter of Detroit on August 27, 1949. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1969 and died in 1999 in Springfield, MO. She leaves behind her recently deceased son, Paul "Tex" Schlachter of Kingsland, TX, Fred (Susan) Schlachter of Cheyenne, WY, Eric Schlachter of Springfield, MO, Carol Schlachter of rural Johnson City, TX and Lucy Schlachter Braun of Springfield, MO; nine grandchildren: Jennifer of Farmers Branch, TX, Alice Maxwell (Farley) of Tallahassee, FL, Paul Schlachter of Luling, TX, Stephanie Wimberly of Manor, TX, Greg Schlachter (Tabi) of Ingleside, TX, Paul Schlachter (Holly) of Cheyenne, WY, Christina Penrose (James) of Springfield, OH, Michael Schlachter of Cheyenne, WY, Tammy Kempter (Sean) of Cheyenne, WY and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Margaret visited 45 states and 18 countries, including Ukraine, 5 trips to Russia and 4 to Ireland. She leaves behind many long-time friends.

She was a thirty-year member of St. Agnes Cathedral and frequently attended St. Joseph Catholic Church with her son, Eric. She especially enjoyed Irish music on Mondays at Galloway Station on Republic Road and was a recent resident at Jacob's Ladder Care Center on North Delaware.

Prayer Vigil Service, led by Father Karl Barmann, O.S.B. will be held at 5:00 PM on Monday, May 30, 2022 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will follow until 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield, MO with Most Reverend Edward Rice, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, presiding. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Luncheon will follow at St. Agnes School Cafeteria.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Agnes Cathedral or Conception Abbey in Conception, MO.