Mary M. Worthington, 96, of Monmouth, formerly Roseville, IL, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Richard Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, IL.
She was born on August 5, 1928 in Macomb, IL, the daughter of Benjamin F. and Mae A. (Olson) Watt. Mary was raised and educated in McDonough County and graduated from Prairie City High School in 1945. She later graduated from Western Illinois University Teacher’s College.
Mary married Emmerson Kenneth Worthington on September 26, 1946 in Macomb, IL; he preceded her in death on December 21, 1977.
Mary began her career as a teacher at Crawford School in Warren County before dedicating herself full-time to raising her family and supporting her husband on their family farm. A woman of deep faith and community spirit, she devoted countless hours to Swan Creek United Methodist Church, where she was a longtime and active member. Her commitment to service extended beyond the church; she was also a proud and dedicated member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she was honored with the title of Honorary Chapter Regent in recognition of her many years of involvement and leadership.
Mary had a lifelong passion for genealogy and spent years researching her family’s history with great enthusiasm and care. She also found joy in tending her garden and was a voracious reader throughout her life. Above all, Mary’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—affectionately known as “GiGi”—whose warmth, wisdom, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Surviving Mary are her children, Nancy Huston of Roseville, IL, Hope (Bill) Huston Notz of Berwick, IL, Susan (Robert) Knepler of Bloomington, IL, Tracey (Steve) Stice of Athens, GA, and Kendra (David) Turley of Bloomington, IL; her grandchildren, Frank Huston, Andy (Misty Huston) Huston, Brian (Amy) Huston, Rick (Shawnee) Huston, Lee (Laura) Knepler, Kenny (Allison) Knepler, Anna (Nick) Chumbley, Danielle (Alfred) Fargione, Claire (Will) Stephens, Phillip Stice, Abigail Turley , Benjamin Turley, Collin Turley; her great grandchildren, Alexandra Huston, Noah Huston, Maggie Huston, Leighton (Colton) Neal, Sullivan Huston, Emrick Huston, Cru Huston, Callen Huston, Hattie Huston, Maxwell Martin, Emerson Martin, Everett Knepler, Quinn Knepler, Eleanor Knepler, Margaret Knepler, Carter Chumbley, Henry Chumbley, Alfred Fargione IV, Cipriano Fargione, Mary Fargione, Merrick Stephens, Walden Stephens, and Brooke Stice.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; her sister, Viola M. (Watt) Worthington; her brother, Gale V. Watt; her granddaughters, Melissa (Huston) Martin and Lauren (VanderBroek) Stice; her great granddaughter, Aubrey Elizabeth Knepler; her great grandson, Job Malachi Fargione; and numerous brothers and sisters in law. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Macomb, IL. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the Swan Creek United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
