Mary Lou (McClain) Seckler, 86, of Washington, formerly of Galesburg, died at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2023, in Methodist Hospital in Peoria.
She was born March 24, 1937, in Galesburg Cottage Hospital, the daughter of Hobart B. and Martha S. (Johnson) McClain. She married Roland “Sonny” Seckler on November 21, 1971. He preceded her in death on November 16, 2004.
She is survived by two nieces, Mary Beth (Scott) Lewis of Galesburg and Susan (Pat) Seiboldt of Victoria; a nephew, Steve (Terry) Shupp of Metamora; great-nieces, Mikayla Lewis, Christina Seiboldt, and Emma Seiboldt; great-nephews, Joshua Alvarado and Noah Seiboldt; great-great-nephew, Nikolai Alvarado; many cousins; and dear friends and neighbors, the Schierer, Klein, and Ruff families. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jacqueline (McClain) Johnson.
Mary Lou graduated from Galesburg High School on June 2, 1955, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She went on to attend Illinois State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education on August 9, 1963. Later she earned her Master of Arts from Illinois State University on January 20, 1971. On January 4, 1995, Mary Lou earned her medical transcriptionist certificate from the California College of Heath Sciences.
Mary Lou taught 5th grade and Spanish at Reservoir Elementary School in Peoria for several years. She also taught English at Illinois State University. She had been a court reporter for Peoria County and taught court reporting at Mid-State College. Before her teaching career, she was a secretary at Churchill Junior High School in Galesburg.
Mary Lou was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Galesburg, where she had served as church organist for several years. After moving to Washington, she joined Crossroads Methodist Church.
While in college, Mary Lou worked on a ranch in Wyoming. She enjoyed traveling to Western states, gardening, genealogy and family history, crocheting and sewing, and spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her beautiful quilts and afghans.
The family would like to thank the medical and nursing staff at Carle Health Methodist Hospital for their care and compassion.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2023, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Faith United Methoidist Church, Crossroads Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences for the family may be left on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.
