Mary Wille

Mary Justina Wille, 83, of Jackson died Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at her home.

She was born May 11, 1927, in Apple Creek, Mo., daughter of George Paul and Barbara Hennemann Unterreiner. She and Leonard J. Wille were married Aug. 12, 1947.

Mary graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1946. She worked in the plastics division at Lenco Co. and at Jackson Hosiery Mill until 1964. In 1970 Mary worked at Wille's Bakery in Jackson and Cape Girardeau as bookkeeper, retiring in 1987.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and St. Ann's Sodality. In earlier times Mary also was an usher and on Fridays helped clean the church.

Mary is survived by her husband, Leonard of Jackson; two sons, Ralph (Evelyn) Wille, Leonard Mitchell Wille and special friend Christina Bischoff of Jackson; two daughters, Sharon (Merritt) Hamilton of Palm Springs, Calif., Mary Catherine (Scott) McNeely of Jackson; five sisters, Lavina Beanland of Anna, Ill., Rosella Fields, Sister Marie DeLourdes, Bernetta Drury,, Betty Parato, all of St. Louis; six grandchildren, Darrin (Penny) Baker, Dane (Staci) Baker, Carmen Smith, Lori (Matt) Jones, Kelli A. Wille, Tyler McNeely; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Chad; and three brothers, George, Ray and Ed.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson. Parish prayers will be at 7, followed by the rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. John Harth officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.