Mary Ferriell

Mary Lou (Jenner) Ferriell, 89, of Decatur, IL passed away at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Symphony of Decatur.Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at First United Methodist Church Decatur, IL, with visitation on Tuesday August 16, 2016 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M. at Sumner Cemetery, Sumner, IL. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Decatur, are assisting the family with the arrangements.Mary Lou was born in Lawrence County, IL. at the family farm on March 31, 1927. Her parents were Horace Webster and Goldie Margaret (Doe) Jenner. Grandparents were Dr. Edward Johnson and Laura (Hershey) Jenner. Maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth Doe. Mary Lou was the next to the youngest of six children and loved life on the farm with her siblings, several pets, and wonderful parents. Her pets included Bobbie (a Shetland pony), Ginger (a Welsh pony), Quack Quack (pet duck), a kid goat, and several small dogs.The family attended Union Chapel Church and many church activities which sat on the corner of the family farm. Spring Hill Grade School (a one room school) provided a fine preparation for high school and later in life, college.On October 26, 1946, Mary Lou Jenner and Warren Leroy Ferriell were married. Three fine sons were born to this union: John Warren (Rosemary), Mark Alan (Jodi), and Thomas Michael. They have six grandchildren: Kelly Ann Boerma (Doug), John David Ferriell (Nicole). Mary Jo Leimbach (David), Mark Vincent Ferriell (Amy), Robert Warren Ferriell (Courtney), and Alan Joseph Ferriell (Brittany). They have fifteen great-grandchildren.Mary Lou was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Decatur, a lifetime member of the PTA (President two years), and a member of the following organizations: DARTA (Decatur Area Retired Teachers), DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and AAUW (American Association of University Women).Mary Lou graduated Magna Cum Laude from Millikin University in the spring in 1975 with son Thomas, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Education. In 1978, she received a Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling from the University of Illinois. She was a teacher and counselor for Decatur Public Schools for over 20 years and was voted Teacher of Excellence at Woodrow Wilson Secondary Adjustment and later Johns Hill Magnet School.The family would like to thank the staff at Symphony of Decatur for their support in her final days. Memorials may be made to: Decatur Municipal Band and First United Methodist Church. "
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