Mary Emily Marshall

Mary Emily Marshall, age 92 of DeKalb, formerly of Big Rock, IL passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the Bethany Health Care and Rehab Center in DeKalb, IL. She was born on April 6, 1919 in DeKalb, IL the only daughter of Walter and Minnie (Hiner) Smith.

Mary was proud to have attended St. Mary?s Catholic School, Ellwood School, a country school and the Cortland School. She graduated from DeKalb High School. Mary was united in marriage on February 1, 1941 at the Methodist Church in DeKalb, IL to Mr. Arthur J. Marshall and they spent the next 46 happy years together until his passing on December 26, 1987. Mary and Art farmed in the Big Rock area for over 30 years. After retirement they moved back to Mary?s family farm in DeKalb, IL. Mary loved the farm and had a keen interest in discussing the crops with her family. Mrs. Marshall was a longtime member of the English Congregational United Church of Christ in Big Rock, IL. Mary had a passion for life and loved to tell stories about the old days. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends, the Willing Workers at church, entertaining and traveling, Hawaii and Alaska being her favorite trips. Family, friends and neighbors were of great importance to her. She was always sharp and witty, with a twinkle in her blue eyes. Mrs. Marshall was a homemaker who took great pride in her home and family. Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law; and aunt who will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her sons, Joseph (Sharon) Marshall of DeKalb, IL and Earl (Sandy) Marshall of Sugar Grove, IL; her grandchildren, Kevin (Colleen) Marshall of Big Rock, IL, Jennifer (Bill) Cummings of DeKalb, IL, Pamela (Robert) Boyd of Rockford, IL, Jamie (Ron) Donohue of Coweta, OK , Jeff (Janann) Marshall of DeKalb, IL and David Marshall of Sugar Grove, IL ; her great-grandchildren, Christian Boyd of Rockford, IL, Reno Colburn of Big Rock, IL and Katherine Donohue of Coweta, OK; her sister-in-law, Mary J. Benson of Cortland, IL; niece, Mary M. Benson; nephew, Bob (Frankie) Benson; great-niece, Mary Ann Mathus; great-great nephews, Brandon Skau, Bryan Skau, and Jeremy Westbrook. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arthur Marshall; her great-niece, Marie Mathus and numerous cousins.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 18, 2011, with a luncheon to follow, at the English Congregational United Church of Christ, 301 Rhodes St. in Big Rock, IL with Reverend Kenneth Kramer, officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in DeKalb, IL.

Friends may visit from 4:00 until 8:00 PM on Friday, June 17, 2011 at the Nash-Nelson Memorial Chapel, 141 N. Maple St. in Hinckley, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the English Congregational United Church of Christ in Big Rock, IL or the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

The family wishes to thank Bethany Health Care & Rehab Center and the DeKalb County Hospice for their kind and professional care.