Mary Carol (McKimmy) Mechling (90) of rural Shumway

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Published on February 20 2024 9:55 am

Mary Carol (McKimmy) Mechling of rural Shumway, IL, passed away peacefully at 9:35 a.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at StoneBridge Memory Care in Effingham, IL.

Mary was born on February 19, 1933, at home in rural Newton, IL, the 11th of Clarence A. and Mary Gladys (Carter) McKimmy’s 12 children. She graduated from Hutsonville High School in 1951 and eventually moved to Decatur, where she met the love of her life, Merle Ross Mechling. The pair met in August of 1955 and married on December 10 of the same year. Mary retired in 1984 as an agent at Richards Insurance in Stewardson, IL.

Mary was the proud mother of three children, Marcie (Dana) Anderson, Donna (Stan) Cravens and David (Vicki) Mechling; six grandchildren, Lindsey (Tobi) Dorn, Haley Anderson, Daniel (Ashley) Cravens, Matthew Cravens, Nicole Mechling and Justin Mechling; and four greatgrandchildren, Zechariah, Noah and Levi Dorn, and Cohen Cravens.

Mary was an active member of New Hope Church and her Oasis Sunday School class. She enjoyed working at the Effingham Cross and blood banks at the hospital. She loved to laugh, was a great listener, and an equally great storyteller, sharing her adventures from when she was a kid. Mary had a passion for cooking and baking, from homemade noodles to cookies, pies and fudge. And throughout the years, she was a staple in the bleachers, cheering on her kids and grandkids.

Mary is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six sisters, Clara Hartrich, Ruth Winger, Sylvia Shanks, Roseanne Freeman, Bonnie Carter, and Faye Helmbacher; and five brothers, Willie, Charles, George, Emery and Edgar.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Stewardson Cemetery in Stewardson, IL. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to New Hope Church in Effingham or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.