Mary H. Newman, 90, of Cissna Park, IL

Mary Helen Newman, 90, of Cissna Park, died peacefully on Monday, December 21, 2009 at Illinois Knight’s Templar Home, Paxton.

Born March 18, 1919 in Danville, Illinois, the daughter of John and Rosa Whipple Carey, she attended St Patrick’s Catholic School and Danville High School and earned her teaching degree from Illinois State Normal University. She taught fourth and fifth grade at Collett School in Danville.

In 1944, Mary Helen married Vincent Newman of Cissna Park and the couple settled on the family farm and raised their six children. Mary Helen was active in Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rankin, IL and served as the church organist for 41 years. Through her patience, teaching skills and love, she passed on her appreciation for music, reading and education to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Helen was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, and will be greatly missed by her six children, Robert of Bogota, Colombia, Mary Kay of Champaign, IL, Tom of Cissna Park, IL, Tim and Ruth (Wagner) Newman of Cissna Park IL, Richard and Karen (Patterson) Newman of Geneva, IL, Anne Newman and Phil Duling of Paxton, IL; six grandchildren, Patrick, Amanda and Angela (Corum) Newman, Jamie Kuhn, Kaitlyn and Michael Duling; three great-grandchildren, Baylee Newman, Ella Corum and Olivia Fuoss; a sister, Winifred Mallard of Trinton Falls, NJ, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosa and John Carey, her loving husband Vincent (1989), and her siblings: Loretto O’Connell, Thomas Carey, Sister Rose Amelia Carey, Reverend William Carey, John Carey, Joseph Carey and Michael Carey.

A visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Knapp Funeral Home, 219 West Blaine St., Cissna Park, IL. and also one hour prior to the service.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24 at Knapp Funeral Home in Cissna Park. Rev. Scott Huggins will officiate. Interment will follow at Rankin Union Cemetery in Rankin, IL.

Memorials may be given to Iroquois Memorial Hospice, Sons of Charity or Donor’s Choice.

For information call Funeral Home at 815-457 -2424.

Please sign the guestbook at knappfuneralhomes.com.