Mary Ellen Moschel

Born January 15, 1944 in Peoria to James “Merle” and Ruth (Smith) Beckett, she married Raymond “Ray” C. Moschel on August 25, 1963 in Eureka. He died February 9, 2019.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Richard Beckett, John Beckett and Jim Beckett; one sister, Patricia Potter; and one brother-in-law, Jim Evans.

Surviving are her three children, Robert Moschel, Christopher (Randi Johnson) and Cathy (Robert) Gosnell, all of Pekin; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Tony) Brown and Megan Brunner; three great-grandchildren, Jacey, Liam and Adalynn; four sisters, Phyllis McFarden of East Peoria, Shirley Evans of Pekin, Ida Hammer of Spring Bay and Penny Beckett of Creve Coeur; and four brothers, Charles (Pamela) Beckett of Ottawa, Dale (Patty) Beckett and Howard Beckett, both of East Peoria, and Donald (Debbie) Beckett of Colorado.

A homemaker, family was the most important thing to Mary. Her famous taco salad had to be rationed at family gatherings to ensure everyone got a taste. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and embroidery.

Mary attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Manito and formerly attended Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Havana.

Her funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 501 South Adams Street in Manito with Father Geoffrey Horton as the celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will be at St. Frederick’s Cemetery in Manito.

To continue her dedication to charity work, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637, Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306.

To express condolences online, visit Preston-Hanley.com