Mary L. Hovind, Galesburg, died September 29, 2020 peacefully at home just like she wanted to do.
Mary Lou came into this world on September 26, 1937 at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois. She was the daughter of Temple and Ruth Wilson, and the oldest of her four sisters and brother. They lived in Peoria until they moved to Toulon, Illinois. Between the two places there are a multitude of funny stories of the sisters fighting and terrorizing each other until Mary Lou’s graduation from Toulon Township High School in 1955.
Mary Lou was a very gifted artist, something she was very proud of. She won an art scholarship to Compton Community College in Compton, California. So she packed up what belongings she had and took a train to California to stay with relatives and attend college. I am not sure exactly what happened, and the real story is probably lost to history, but Mary Lou’s fiery independence apparently was not appreciated by her California relatives, so she moved back – or was told to go back – to Illinois shortly after. That fierce independence and her sense of humor was something that she would have until the very end.
Mary Lou eventually moved to Galesburg and worked at Kline’s as a window dresser. That is where she met Lena Hovind who eventually introduced her to her future husband, Charles Hovind Jr. Eventually Chuck and Mary were married at the Presbyterian Church in Galesburg on May 17, 1959. They would have two children, Randy Hovind and Deborah Hovind–Berhart.
Mary Lou went to work at the Intra State Telephone Company in Galesburg in 1958 as a telephone operator. After 38 years of service, she retired in 1996 as a clerk for the plant. After retiring she went to work for Dick Blick in 1997 and worked for several more years before retiring completely.
Mary Lou was a member of the Wesleyan Church. She loved attending dog shows with dad “back in the day” when they showed dogs across the country. She was an excellent artist and she has countless drawings and paintings to show for it. She kept up on honing her craft with classes and practice as long as she was able. She loved attending her four grandsons’ school programs and sporting events. She never missed a show or game unless she just physically could not.
Mary Lou is preceded in death by her parents, her step father Jim Morgan, and her husband Charles Hovind Jr. She leaves behind a daughter, Deborah (and Mike) Berhart, and Deborah’s two sons Dillon and Bradley Hovind. A son, Randy Hovind and his two sons, Tristan and Ethan Hovind. Four sisters, Ruth Talbert, Joyce (and Blair) Stewart, Diana (and Jim) Winslow, Kathy Snow and a brother Jim (and Terri) Morgan.
Although they were divorced, Mary Lou and Chuck had an emotional attachment that would last their whole lives.
Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2020 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. As per her wishes, mom will be cremated following visitation and buried privately with Chuck at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg. Memorials may be directed in Mary’s memory to Hospice Compassus. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
