Mary Louise (Bunder) Solis

Mary was born on September 28, 1935 in Washington Park, Illinois to Josephine and Henry Bunder. She was the youngest of 5 children. She had three sisters and one brother. When she was young, Mary worked in a clerical position at the Stockyard Bank in East St. Louis.

At the age of 22, Mary met the love of her life, Pete Solis. He was stationed at Turkey Hill (a now abandoned radar site) in Belleville, Illinois. They were married several years later on April 7, 1967 in Reno, Nevada. Mary passed away just short of their 51st anniversary.

Military life took Mary to several locations in the United States: Sacramento, California, Anchorage, Alaska, Omaha, Nebraska, and finally back to Illinois at Scott Air Force Base where she could be close to her family.

In December 1974, while stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Mary gave birth to their only child, Mark. Mary was a devoted wife and mother to her family. She dedicated her life to being a good homemaker and selflessly sacrificed in the care of her son. They made their home in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Mary grew up in a home where Major League Baseball games could be heard blaring through the radio. Like her father, she also caught baseball fever and became a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. She followed the off season trades and regularly watched their games.

Mary also liked music; her favorites were pop and country music. Although she was a petite woman, Mary was tall in her Christian faith. Her favorite saint was St. Jude. She was a compassionate and caring woman. She often offered prayers to family and friends.

In recent years, Mary’s health slowly started to decline and dementia set in. The effects of this disease weakened her body. She was put on home hospice care in February 2018. Her husband and son cared for her and held vigil by her bedside the remaining days of her life. She peacefully died at home on Monday, March 12, 2018.

Mary is survived by her husband, her son, several nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Mary will be held Friday, March 16, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208. A funeral service will occur Friday, March 16, 2018 at 11:00 AM, 5000 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208. A burial will occur Friday, March 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM at Lake View Memorial Gardens, 5000 N Illinois St, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208-3411.

Contributions in Mary's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri 63132 US, https://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeViewFuneralHm.com for the Solis family.