Mary Long

Mary Long

Age 96 of Wilmington, passed away Monday evening, May 9, 2016 at Our Lady of Victory in Bourbonnais.

Born October 29, 1919 in Monee, Mary Ellen was a daughter of the late Louis and Margaret Glenney-Rodawold.  She was raised between Peotone and Monee, east of U.S. Route 50, and educated in a one room school. She graduated from Peotone High School and went on to receive her Teaching Certificate in 1939 from Illinois State University. On July 30, 1949, Mary married Edward James "Ned" Long in Steger, Illinois, and together they spent their entire married life in rural Wilmington.  She was a member of Saint Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where she was active with the C.C.W. and named Woman of the Year.  Mary worked for the Wilmington public school system, as well as various rural one room schools throughout Will County.  She will be remembered for her love of gardening.

Survivors include four children: Theresa (John, Sr.) Kaestner of Wilmington, Eileen Long of Salinas, California, and Ray (Trish) Long and Jerry (Pam Siefert) Long, both of Manteno; one son-in-law: Bill Newman of Channahon; four grandchildren: John (Nicole) Kaestner, Jr., Jason Kaestner, Stephen Woodbury and Kristina (Chris) Stolk; one great granddaughter: Brooklynn Stolk; one brother: Louis “Spike” (Marie) Rodawold of Wilmington; one sister-in-law: Loretta Long of Manhattan, and numerous nieces, nephews,  grand nieces and grand nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edward J. “Ned” Long; daughter: Joanne Newman; one sister: Margaret Sheldrake; brothers and sisters-in-law: Francis “Jiggs” Long, William (Phyllis) Long, John “Jack” (Marion) Long, Richard Sheldrake and Helen (Jack) Murphy.

Visitation and video tribute will be held at St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street, in Wilmington on Friday, May 13, 2016 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning, May 14th in the church at 10:00 a.m. Reverend Steve Bondi and Deacon Milt Leppert will officiate.  Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made in Mary’s memory as gifts to Saint Rose School or Kuzma Care Cottage.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Mary's memorial page by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, in Wilmington 815-476-2181.