Mary Mendenhall

Mary Louise Mendenhall, 94, of Decatur, IL, passed away Monday, February 9, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur, IL. Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2015, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL, with visitation 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 13, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta, IL. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, Shriners Hospital for Children. Mary was born August 9, 1920 in Argenta, IL, the daughter of George and Nellie Taylor. She married Wesley L. Mendenhall on June 16, 1940 at Grace United Methodist Church in Decatur, IL. Mary was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, D.A.R, Order of the Eastern Star and Caterpillar Retirees Club. As a young lady, she worked at Shaw's Garment Factory in Decatur, and Wesley would pick her up in his milk truck and take her to work. After the garment factory closed, she worked at Sears Roebuck. Also, she and Wesley owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Monticello for several years. When Caterpillar Tractor Co. came to Decatur in 1955, Mary was one of the first employees hired. She worked for Caterpillar when they were located in a small office on Lincoln Square downtown. Mary loved playing cards and was very sharp with phenomenal recall. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Everyone that met Mary, loved her. She was a devoted family leader, a 21 year cancer survivor, and a true inspiration to all who knew her. Her family was the light of her life. She was a kind, soft spoken woman with the kindest heart. She leaves her family with so many wonderful memories and will be truly missed. She is survived by her husband of 74 years: Wesley of Decatur, IL; children: Roger L. (Karen) Mendenhall of Colorado Springs, CO, Carolyn (Keith) Flesner of Mt. Zion, IL; grandchildren: Eric Mendenhall, Danielle (Phil) Graham, Scott Mendenhall, Wes Mendenhall, Michael Campbell, and Leslie (Mark) Hicks; step- grandchildren: Jennifer (Todd) Eddy, Jodi (Bill) Atchison and Brian (Christian) Flesner; great- grandchildren: Jillian Mendenhall, Casey Moore, Kaitlyn Mendenhall, Craig Mendenhall, Austin Campbell, Alex Hicks, Meade Hicks; step-great grandchildren: Nick Campbell, Jacob Lamb, Emily Atchison, Ben Eddy, Connor Atchison, Sam Eddy; great great grandchild: Alex Moore. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters and grandson Timothy Campbell. "
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