Peggy Jane Webber, cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on Tuesday, October 1, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Ralph Marrion Vaughan and Evelyn Pauline (McGunnigle) Vaughan. Peggy led a life filled with compassion, dedication, and pioneering accomplishments. She married John Haslett, Jr. in 1953, and they moved often because he served in the U.S. Military. In 1979, she married Bradley Webber, and he preceded her in death.
A long-time resident of Centralia, Illinois, Peggy’s life was a testament to service, creativity, and civic engagement. She was well-known for her artistry in crocheting and dabbled in painting with her sister, Marrion. Peggy’s community-oriented spirit was evident in her many civic contributions. Brad and Peggy loved going to Auctions to collect hidden treasures, they ran knick knack shops in Hoffman and in Centralia. She recently served on the steering committee for the Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute at Kaskaskia College and was a vital member of the Centralia Women of the Moose. Peggy had a big heart for her four legged companions, her dogs, that she rescued and nutured over the years.
Peggy’s pioneering essence shone through in her groundbreaking roles. She became the very first WILY Hotline woman in 1968, broke barriers as the first female dispatcher with the Centralia Police Department in 1973, and one of the first women hired as a correctional officer in a male Correctional Center in Illinois in 1976. Committed to her community’s political landscape, Peggy ran for Marion County Circuit Clerk in 1976 and dedicated over 20 years as an election poll worker.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husbands, John R. Haslett, Jr., and Bradley Webber, her daughter, Toni Hall, and sisters Evelyn Colleen Powell, Norma Kay Vaughan, and Betty Joan Vaughan.
Peggy leaves behind a loving family who cherishes her memory: sons, Lt Col (Ret) John R. Haslett, III and wife Rebekah of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Timothy Haslett and wife Karen of New Port Richey, Florida; son-in-law: Gary Hall of Central City, Illinois; grandchildren, Brighton Haslett of Washington, DC, Lt Cmd John R. Haslett, IV of Anacortes, Washington, Timothy Haslett, Jr. of Kansas City, Missouri, and Lindsey Brown of New Port Richey, Florida; great-grandsons, Luke Metcalfe of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and Mason Anes of New Port Richey, Florida; and her devoted sister, Delores Marrion McCaskey, and husband Larry of Centralia, as well as one niece and nephew.
Per Peggy’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded, and a Graveside Service will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Centralia Humane Society and/or the Marion County Animal Control and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, located at 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Peggy’s Family. The family welcomes online condolences at www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and via the Funeral Home Facebook page. In remembrance of Peggy Jane Webber, we celebrate a remarkable woman who fearlessly paved the way for others and devoted her life to making a difference. Her legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched.
