Mary Ellen Woodward

She was preceded in death by her first Husband, Albert P. Lynch; second Husband, Howard H. Woodward; a Son Gary H. Woodward; a grandson, Nathaniel Lee Staley; her parents, Claude A and Josephine A., (nee Figi), Bryan; two sisters, Florence Poole and Erma E. Bruno; a Brother, Charles Bryan; two Half Brothers, John Miller and Francis Bryan; three brother in laws, Oscar Wolf; Charles Bruno; Donald Ballard; Rudy Steffan; two sisters in law, Nancy Bryan and Margaret Bryan.

Surviving are three Daughters and their spouses, Lonnie A. Frantz (Robert) of New Athens, IL; Jacqueline C. Wegescheide (Michael) of Millstadt, IL; Connie E. Martin (Joseph) of Edwardsville, IL; one daughter in law Patricia Woodward-Ulmer (George), eight grandchildren, Genna Byerly (nee Woodward); Crissy Wegescheide-Pipik; John Woodward; Clayton Woodward; Katherine Walters (nee Woodward); Rebecca Ruhman (nee Wegescheide); Michael Wegescheide II; Nicholas Staley; and ten great grandchildren.

Surviving also are five sisters, three brothers and their respective spouses:

A sister, Grace Wolf of Belleville, IL

A sister, Evelyn Steffan of Oaklawn, IL

A sister, Josephine A. Ballard of O’Fallon, IL, formerly of Caseyville, IL

A sister, Carol Stahlman (John) of Chatham, IL

A sister, Marlene “Susie” (Julius) of Oak Lawn, IL

A brother, Claude Bryan of Benton, IL

A brother, Aaron Bryan (Ruby) of Fairview Heights, IL

A brother, Victor Bryan (Norma) of Dade City, Florida

Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Grand Nieces and Grand Nephews

Mary Ellen was a lifelong Lutheran. first at the Trinity Lutheran Church in East St. Louis, IL and later at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Caseyville, IL and Signal Hill Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL. Her faith was revealed, in her daily life, helping others and in her business dealings. She utilized God’s scripture to guide her life and others with encouragement, love and spirituality, spreading goodness in the lives of those she touched.

Mary Ellen was born into a long life of service to others. She was the first born of twelve (12) children, which she had great love and responsibility for. She cheerfully answered the call of her Mother for help in all household chores. She particularly enjoyed assisting in the birth of the new babies. All of them were born at home except for the last three, whom were born at the hospital. She cuddled them, fed and provided for them and countless assists with laundry, cooking and cleaning at a very young age. She elected to leave school in the 11th grade so she could make the call to assist with her family and siblings. During her younger years, she also felt an obligation to assist her Father with his chores as the boys were born at a later date. Her Father ‘s favorite description of her was that she was a ”Go-Getter” She was a mentor to all her siblings and remained a key figure in all of their lives.

Her first major place of employment was Continental Can Company. She also worked for Emerson Electric and several other bar-restaurant establishments in the area where she lived. She didn’t mind the hard work, but she found more satisfaction when she went into business for herself. In the early 1970’s and early 1980’s, she owned and operated Woody’s and Mary’s Tavern & Restaurant, business boomed and it became a very popular place to visit. She came into her own as she organized many special events, Street Dances, many with the German Waterloo Band where she welcomed family and friends and made many new acquaintances. After 15 years or so, she moved that business to the Red Bud area in Ruma, IL. After retirement she continued to operate several small businesses in the area for many more years.

Family was very important to Mary Ellen all her life. She was blessed with four children, nine Grandchildren & ten Great Grandchildren. With great joy and admiration she welcomed each one of them into this world, she never missed an opportunity to help, guide and love each one of them. Her only Son, Gary, died at a young age of cancer; she was there for him during the battle for his life. Her girls all remained close and in her old age Lonnie excelled as her care giver. Continuously, Lonnie and her husband Bob, improved her properties, remodeled and moved her so she could remain living alone until the very end of her life. When she moved into the Oak Hill Nursing home, even though she was in her ninety’s, she enjoyed the staff and other residents by playing Bingo, attending entertainment music sessions and numerous holiday events.

When Mary Ellen moved on to the next chapter in her life, her family took delight in examining her Bible, which had many marked favorite scriptures, little notes of those she prayed for, along with saved notes and cards from all of her loved ones.

The family wishes to express deep appreciation to the staff at Oak Hill Nursing Home for their diligent work and care for her while she was a resident. It is deeply appreciated by her family and those that loved her.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday January 24th at Lake View Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, IL.

Funeral: A Christian Service will be held at Lake View Memorial Gardens on Wednesday January 25th at 11:00AM.

Burial will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Athens IL.