Mary Jane Parmenter, 85, of Galesburg, passed away at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022 at Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville.
She was born June 15, 1937 in Galesburg, the daughter of Frank S. and Victoria E. (Sepich) Butkovich. Mary attended St. Joseph’s Academy and Corpus Christi High School in Galesburg, graduating in 1955. After graduating, she worked as an office assistant at Galesburg Lincoln Mercury for a few years until she became a stay-at-home mother. Mary began working at Galesburg Lincoln Mercury again once her children became older. She worked for Galesburg Lincoln Mercury for around 25 years and also worked at Nielson Middle School for many years. Mary was united in holy matrimony to Roger J. Parmenter on February 8, 1958 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Galesburg. He preceded her in death on January 9, 2022.
Left to cherish her memory is her three sons: Jeff (Jeanne) Parmenter of Decatur, Illinois, Greg Parmenter of Galesburg, and John (Kim) Parmenter of Aurora, Colorado; her daughter, Denise Ashford of Rosemount, Minnesota; five grandchildren: Jessica and Andrew Parmenter, Tyler Ashford, Whitney (Adam) Magy, and Jordan Parmenter; and one great grandson, Henry James Magy. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Patty Butkovich of Mississippi. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 63 years; and one brother, David Butkovich.
She loved antique shopping and traveling to Colorado to visit her grandchildren. Mary was very family oriented and loved spending time and caring for her family. She was a devout Catholic and member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Galesburg.
A Funeral Mass will be held for Mary and Roger at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Father Lee Brokaw will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois, 310 W William St. Decatur, IL 62522. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
