Laurie Dalton of Centralia passed away at her home at 6:30 PM on Monday, February 13, 2023, with her family by her side.
Laurie was born on July 12, 1960, in Charleston, IL to James Owen and Mary Ellen (Lee) Griffith. She married Charles Dalton in May 1982 and they later divorced.
Surviving is her beloved family; mother, Mary Ellen Griffith of Salem, IL, son James Dalton and fiancé Christeen Hernandez of Hendersonville, TN; her sisters, Mary Kaye Speidel and husband Arland of Centralia, Bonnie and husband Michael Smith of Edwardsville; her brothers, Greg Griffith of Salem, Jim Griffith and wife Cristy of Salem, special nephew Timothy Speidel, wife Elizabeth and their children Mary Elizabeth and Frederick Albert of Fulshear, TX; special niece Jennifer Copple, husband Cameron and their son Theodore Henry of St. Jacob, nephew Curtis Griffith and his son Carter of Salem, nieces Kellie Sigrist, husband Lucas and their children Mason and Ava of Salem, Kara Petty, husband Raymond and their son Treyvor of Lynn Haven, Fl, Seana Brehm and husband Hans of Arizona, Arynne Griffith and her son Stephan Griffith of Nashville, IL, sister in law Terri Griffith and additional extended family Mark Speidel and son Tyler of Laguna Beach, CA., aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father James O Griffith, her sweetheart of 26 years Ed Speidel, and her special friend Kevin Dickey.
Laurie earned an RN from Kaskaskia College in 1995, a BSN from McKendree College in 2007, and an MSN from South University in 2015. She became a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in 2017. She worked for many years at Salem Healthcare Pediatric Clinic. For the past few years, she worked for staffing agencies conducting physicals for several major contractors including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation.
Laurie was a natural-born caregiver. Her passion in her life and career was devoted to caring for those in need. She had compassion and empathy beyond measure. She was always positive and encouraged those around her even when she was facing challenges herself. Laurie loved the beach and especially treasured family vacations in Florida. She will truly be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 4 at 1:00 pm at Irvin-Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with John Klockenga officiating the service. Friends may call from 11:00-1:00 on Saturday, March 4 prior to the service. Interment will follow at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials in memory of Laurie are suggested to Gift of Hope and will be received at Irvin-Macz Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories of Laurie may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
