Mary Ellen Fisher

Born August 8, 1919 in Peoria to Charles and Florence (Hunter) Garrison, she married John F. Fisher on September 2, 1938 in Peoria.  He died June 24, 1975 in Pekin.  She also was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister.

Surviving are two sons, Michael J. (Peggy) Fisher of Pekin and Steven J. (Vicki) Fisher of Bella Vista, Arkansas; one daughter, Joyce E. (Edward) Laudenslager of Lindenhurst; thirteen grandchildren, Sherrill (Andy) Kolvek, Kelley (Jeff) Bradford, both of Morton, Beth (Gary) Geier of Washington, Robin (Tom) Conlin, Ryan (Kim) Ashby, both of Pekin, Rodney (Kathy) Ashby of Delavan, Jenny (David) Harris of Marquette Heights, Dawn (Rob) McAdams of Walls, Mississippi, Steven R. (Cathy) Fisher of Atlanta, Georgia, Brett (Cathy) Fisher of Des Moines, Iowa, Erin (Ryan) Hlinak of Fox Lake, Jamie Laudenslager of Denver, Colorado and Wesley Laudenslager of Lindenhurst and twenty-five great-grandchildren.  She also leaves one sister, E. June Apacki of Peoria.

Mary Ellen last worked for 14th Street Hardware in Pekin as a clerk.  She previously worked for many years at the Bakery on North 8th Street in Pekin. 

She also took great pride in making a home for her husband and children and supported her sons in their activities as a Cub Scout Den Mother and by volunteering with her husband, who was the Scout Master of Troop 181 at First United Methodist Church.

She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Pekin, where she was a member of the Maranatha Sunday School Class.  She formerly sang in the church choir and served in the kitchen ministry.  She also enjoyed calling on friends and church family who were homebound or resided in the nursing home.

Mary Ellen was a member of the Celestial City Campers and was a longtime volunteer at the former Peoria State Hospital.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.  Pastor Mark D. Friday will officiate.  Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 700 South Capitol Street, Pekin, IL 61554.