Mary Lois McCarnes

Share

Mary Lois McCarnes, age 98, of Petersburg, Illinois, formerly of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at Sunny Acres Nursing Home, Petersburg, Illinois, on Sunday, November 3, 2019, at 4:44 PM. She was born on May 27, 1921, in Monmouth, Illinois, the daughter of Marion Walter and Theo Mary (Fowler) Stults.  Mary Lois began her education in Monmouth elementary schools, later in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduating from high school in St. Paul, Minnesota. She continued her education at Monmouth College obtaining her degree in French, Spanish, and English. On October 16, 1942, she married Joseph McCarnes in Monmouth, Illinois. Mary Lois began her teaching career at Monmouth High School where she taught Spanish for a year until they moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia, during World War II. 

They moved back to Monmouth where she reared her family.  She resumed her career, teaching elementary Spanish, Spanish and English at Central Junior High, and Spanish and English at Monmouth High School until her first retirement. She then taught several years at Yorkwood High School and Winola High School. Lastly, Mary Lois taught Spanish at Monmouth College for twenty years, retiring at the age of 82.  She was a longtime member of First Christian Church in Monmouth where she served as Sunday School teacher, Primary Sunday School superintendent, Primary Sunday School pianist, and sang in the church choir.  After moving to Petersburg, she became a member of Athens Christian Church. Mary Lois is a Golden Arrow Pi Beta Phi, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Warren County Retired Teachers Association, and Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.  Her greatest loves were God, family, and teaching.

Mary Lois is survived by three daughters: Kathy (Larry) Richardson of
Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, Laurie (Chip) Stanton of Petersburg,
Illinois, and Diane (Tom) Gatto of Earlville, Iowa; seven grandchildren:
Amy (Dennis) Keeling of Kingston, Tennessee, Wendy (Dave) Arenz of
Crestview, Florida, Christine (Trevor) Lehnen of Chatham, Illinois,
Marianne (Dave) Gross of Normal, Illinois, Scott Stanton of San Antonio,
Texas, Joe (Heather) Gatto of Anamosa, Iowa, and Carrie (Stephen)
Mulligan of Spring Hill, Tennessee;  twenty-six great-grandchildren; two
step-grandchildren: Darin (Shelle) Richardson, and Kris (Phil) Dashler;
five step-great grandchildren, and five step-great-great grandchildren;
two cousins: Erma Jean Smallwood of Monmouth and Eleanor McClelland of Iowa City.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three
great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Mary Lois McCarnes is planned for 2:00 PM on
Sunday, November 10, 2019, at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth,
Illinois. A visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service at
the funeral home. Interment will be at Warren County Memorial Park. A
memorial is being established for Ninos de Mexico (Christian children’s
home in Mexico). For more information or to leave a remembrance, please
visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.

Spread the word

Other Obituaries

Latest News Podcasts

Subscribe to our Community Newsletter

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Communications, 55 Public Square, Monmouth, IL, 61462, https://977wmoi.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Choose a Category

Continue Reading

Charles R. “Chuck” Fry

Charles R. “Chuck” Fry, 68, of Monmouth, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family after a brave yearlong battle with cancer. Chuck

Mary L. Morlan

Mary L. Morlan, 92 of Galesburg, died at 11:40 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was born November 25, 1931, in Gilson, Illinois, the daughter

Tom Leon Sawyer Jr.

Tom Leon Sawyer Jr., 79, of Little Swan Lake passed away Saturday March 23, 2024, at 3:33p.m. at Seminary Manor in Galesburg. He was born Tuesday, September 26, 1944, in

Roger W. “Rog” Higbee

Roger W. “Rog” Higbee, age 70, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away at 11:05 AM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at his residence. He was born March 20, 1954 in Galesburg,

Fred A. Leath

Fred A. Leath, age 90, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 8:34 AM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at the Monmouth Nursing Home. He was born July 18, 1933 in