Mary Lois Conkle

Mary Lois Conkle, 83, of Loves Park, Illinois went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 30, 2023. Born in Wardall, Missouri to Addison “Dub” Taylor and Mary Downey Taylor Faircloth. She moved to Illinois in 1956, where she met and married on September 30, 1956 to John D. Wilson. Together they had six children who were raised in Loves Park. They divorced in July 1979. While out with a friend she met Roy T. Conkle. They married on May 30, 1981 at the Church by the Side of the Road in Rockton. On October 1993 she retired, bought a farmhouse where she and Roy moved to Mountain View, Missouri. Later they moved to West Plains, Missouri. After Mary was diagnosed with dementia, they decided to move in July, 2021 back to Loves Park, Illinois to be near family. After returning here she was ill all the time, when she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer for a second time. She underwent six weeks of radiation and six chemo treatments. During her ordeal she stayed strong in her faith with the Lord. She loved her family and welcomed everyone into her home. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and was excited when they won the World Series in 2016. She also loved flowers, birds, gardening and loved to cook special meals for her family. She was a special lady and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Roy T. Conkle, Sr.; daughters, Pam (German) Gutierrez of Machesney Park, Sandy Gregory of Loves Park; sons, Curt Wilson, Rick Wilson of Loves Park, Mike Wilson, Keith (Jan) Wilson of Machesney Park; step son, Roy (Angela) Conkle, Jr. of Loves Park; step daughter, Kim Conkle of Dixon; sister, Pat Park of Machesney Park; step brother, Teddy Faircloth of LA; 18 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren on the way. Predeceased by parents; brothers, Sam Taylor, Bulon Taylor, Don Taylor; step brothers, Jerry Faircloth, Tommy Faircloth; step sister, Freda St. John; stillbirth grandson, Eric; granddaughter, Angie and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 5, 2023 in Berean Baptist Church, 5626 Safford Road, Rockford with a visitation from 10:00 AM until time of service. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Machesney Park.

Special thanks to the Regional Cancer Center on Bell School Road, Rockford and Serenity Hospice Care in Oregon. Also to Kim Conkle for the special care she gave Mom at the end of life, as well as Pam Gutierrez, Sandy Gregory, Carissa Ruffcorn, Kassy Augsburger and Amy Wilson. Most of all to Roy for the love he showed her every day.