Mary C Priest

CREVE COEUR ~ Mary Catherine Priest, 83, of 129 South First Avenue, Canton, passed away at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at Sunset Manor in Canton. She was formerly of 228 Alta Vista Terrace in Creve Coeur.

Born July 15, 1922 in Louisville, Kentucky to Aaron Washington and Sally (Leake) Thompson, she married Karl Henry Priest on May 19, 1945 in Louisville, Kentucky. He died August 9, 1982 in Peoria. She also was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Jeffrey Priest and Rex J. Priest; and one brother, George Thompson.

Surviving are five daughters, Lynne M. (Ronald) Jones of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Cheryl R. (Gene) Higgs of Brimfield, Emily M. (Michael) Therry of Marquette Heights, Gayle F. (Michael) Beck of Peoria and Mary E. (David) Knaak of Bartonville; two sons, Vann (Angie) Priest of Fontana, California and Aaron Priest of Dayton, Ohio; ten grandchildren, Christine Payne, Myrtle Beach, Angela Mayer of Franklin, Tennessee, David Lowe, Sallie Beck, Stanley Beck, all of Peoria, Kate Higgs of Santa Ana, California, Nancy Higgs of Bloomington, Alaina Knaak, Patrick Knaak and Grant Knaak, all of Bartonville; three great-grandchildren; one brother, James Thompson of Louisville and four sisters, Sarah Neuling of New Albany, Indiana, Frances (Red) Redmon of Louisville, Marie French of Sellersburg, Indiana and Nancy (Charles) Sandifer of New Albany, Indiana.

She was a waitress for many years at area restaurants including the Castle Burger in Creve Coeur.

Mary was a member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur and its Altar and Rosary Society.

Her funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2006at her church. Father Timothy Nolan will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the church. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Creve Coeur Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacre Coeur Catholic Church, 601 Rusche Lane, Creve Coeur, IL 61610 or to Sunset Manor, 129 South First Avenue, Canton, IL 61520.