Mary E. Distin

Mary E Distin, age 89, of Monmouth, passed away on July 20, 2012 at 8:20 pm at OSF St.Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, IL. Mary was born on March 18, 1923 in Lee Center, Illinois and is the daughter of Dewey Brewer and Elsie Frieda Schrader Kennay. She was raised in Lee Center, Illlinois and attended local schools and graduated from Lee Center High School. She then attended and finished the course at business college in Dixon, Illinois. She married Senlo B. Distin on May 18, 1946 in Dixon, Illinois and he preceded her on February 27, 2012. Mary was a homemaker and first was employed by Production Credit in Dixon, Illinois until her marriage. She then stayed home and raised her family for a number of years. More recently in this area she volunteered at P.A.S.S. Adult Education where she is known as " the Laminator " She also volunteered many years with her husband Senlo at the Fourth of July Fly-in breakfast in Monmouth, Illinois. She has been involved with the activities of the Monmouth Lions Club. For many years Mary served as typist and secretary for Fields and Distin Surveying. For many years Mary was a member and active with the Stronghurst United Presbyterian Church and later at Heritage United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth. She was a very active grandmother and always enjoyed playing cards with her grandchildren. She and Senlo enjoyed ball room dancing and the Big Band Era music. Her whole life was about her family and grandchildren. Mary is survived by four daughters, Cindy Distin of Monmouth, Gloria (John) Baker of Kirkwood, Illinois; Donna (Courtney) Cox of Monmouth, Illinois; and Judy Turvey of Monmouth, Illinois. There are two sons, Gary (Mary) Distin of Monmouth, Illinois and Dan (Viki) Distin of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Twelve grandchildren are surviving, John A. Baker III, Ryan D. Baker, Aubrey Turvey, David R. Distin, Steven P. Distin, Joel, Kelly, Tony, and Amanda Cox, and Mitchell, Brent and Casey Distin. Four great grandchildren also survive. Two brothers, James (Judy) Kennay of Rockford, Illinois and Donald (Bertha) Kennay of Ashton, Illinois. One sister, Vivian Reed of St. Louis, Missouri survives. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. Services:A funeral service will be at Heritage United Presbyterian Church on Saturday July 28, 2012 at 11:00 am. Her family plans to receive friends at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00 prior to the funeral service at the church. Interment will be in Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established for either Heritage United Presbyterian Church or Western Illinois Animal Rescue.