Mary Kathryn Penrod

Born March 7, 1922, to Leslie Terrill and Ora Minerva Stinson, Mary Kathryn grew up on their dairy farm in Eldorado, IL. After graduation from Eldorado High School, she earned her license as a hairdresser. In 1942, she married Robert Dean Cohlmeyer, and while farming in Eldorado and then later owning and running an appliance and hardware business, they raised four children: Gary, Leslie Kay, Marilyn, and Jeffrey. Upon the death of Robert in 1975, Mary Kathryn began her tenure running the beauty parlor at Fountainview Nursing home in Eldorado, where she was beloved for her compassion and caring and kept spirits high with her lively sense of humor.

In 1982, Edward Waldon Penrod entered her life. They were married and started life together in Metropolis IL. For twenty-five happy years, they fished Kentucky Lake for crappies, traveled with their church group, entertained friends, and enjoyed the blessings of family.

Mary Kathryn was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Eldorado and of Metropolis, Whether teaching Sunday School, frying fish for a pot luck, or helping out during times of need, Mary served her church community and her Lord with dedication and joy, setting an example for acceptance and love, showing all that heart-breaking challenges could be met with extraordinary faith and resilience.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Cohlmeyer, and her second husband Edward Penrod; her parents, Leslie and Ora Stinson; and her brother Eugene Stinson.

Mary is survived by sister Joan Douglass of Eldorado IL; brother Leslie Stinson (Virginia) of Bethalto, IL; son Gary Cohlmeyer, Winfield, IL; daughter Leslie Kay Hedger, Grapevine, TX; daughter Marilyn Shultz (Scott Reber), La Crosse, WI; and son Jeffrey Cohlmeyer (Alysa), Mt. Juliet TN; grandchildren, Tirza Hedger, Alisha Hughes, Emily Heagle (Chris), Theresa Sweetland (Wes), Jeffrey Cohlmeyer (Brandee), and Natalie Cohlmeyer; great-grandchildren, Tabitha, Ethan, Rebekah, Lucinda, Delilah, Milena, Evan, Elaine and Stanley; step-daughters Susan Welch (Wally) of Kent, IN; Cathy Whiteley (Don) of Mayfield, KY; and Paula Lampley of Metropolis IL; step-grandchildren, Carly Grubbs (Joey), Corri Wooten (Bobby), Maranda Whiteley and Jacob Lampley; and step-great-grandchildren, Christy, Amber, and Carson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2014 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Alexander North Funeral Home in Evansville, IN with a Memorial Service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Burial is at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 5, at Lindale Memorial Gardens, Eldorado, IL.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.