Mary Elizabeth Carlson

She was born March 5th, 1916 in Lexington, IL to David D. and Mary Edith (Shiner) Day. She married Lloyd N. Carlson in Tampico, IL on May 27, 1939.

As a young child, Mary homesteaded with her parents in Montana before returning with the family to central Illinois. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1933 and Illinois Wesleyan University in 1937. She began her teaching career in Tampico, IL.

In 1950 she and her family along with three other families started the Peoria Christian School. The following year Mary joined the staff as Principal and teacher and continued until her retirement in 1978. In 1986 and 1987 she returned to fill a last minute opening in the faculty and continued to substitute until she was 85.

Her entire life has been one of serving others in both school and church settings. During her lifetime she has been recognized and honored for 21 years of ministry from the Association of Teachers of Christian School in 1987; received the Christian Education Worker Award in 1991; and in 2007 she was honored with the Servant Leader Award.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Karen (Rev. Donald) Lovell of Beaver Crossing, NE; four grandchildren and six great- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1994; her son, Norman; and her sister, Maurine Kepner.

Visitation will be at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., with further visitation 1 hour before services at church on Friday. Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2011 at Bethany Baptist Church on Heinz Lane in Edwards. The Reverends Ritch Boerckel, Lyall Sutton, and Don Lovell will officiate. Burial will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Peoria Christian School or Bethany Baptist Church.