Mary L. Southard, Q.W.P.

Mary L. Southard, Q.W.P. 92 of Springfield, died at 7:45 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2004 at her residence of cancer. Mary was born August 13, 1911 in Stonington, the daughter of Henry Adam and Louise Anna Diester Weitekamp. She married Carl H. Southard on September 20, 1930 and he preceded her in death in 1979. Mary was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and also a member of the Altar & Rosary Society. She was a former member of Christ The King Parish, where she was active on the Parish Committee and Legion of Mary. Mary was a member of the Governor’s Committee on Aging. She also served as an election judge until 2000. Mary was a Beeline Representative and also was a partner with her husband of Southard Tree Service in Springfield for over thirty years. She enjoyed casino trips, bingo, luaus, bowling and participated in the kitchen band and numerous other activities at the Washington Plaza where she resided since 1980. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and four sisters: Beradine Weitekamp, Helen Hamblen, Ursula Lehnen and Eileen Ottenwes and her brother, William Weitekamp. She is survived by her sons: William “Bill” (wife, Betty) Southard of Taylorville, Carl R. “Bob”, Bernard “Ben” and George “Bud” Southard all of Springfield, Clarence “Buster” (wife, Karen) Southard of Galesburg, John “Bing” (wife, Linda) Southard of Austin, TX, her daughter: Bunny (James Haley) Southard of St. Charles, IA, her brothers: Francis 'Bud' (wife, Patricia) Weitekamp of Sarasota, FL, her sisters: Lucille Booker of Urbana and Marcella Heminger of Rochester Hills, MI, sister-in-law: Lillian Weitekamp of Springfield, twenty-three grandchildren, forty - six great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2004 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2004 at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Peter C. Harman celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905, St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave. Springfield, IL 62702, or St. John’s Hospital Hospice Program, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702. The family of Mary Louise Southard, Q.W.P. is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.