Mary Phelan

Mary Rita Phelan

(nee Lawler)

Age 89 of Carthage, Illinois and formerly rural Wilmington, passed away Tuesday May 29, 2007 at Carthage Hospital.

Born May 12, 1918 in Wilton Township, Mary Rita was the daughter of the late William Sylvester and Catherine Angela (Ardaugh) Lawler. She was a graduate of Peotone High School (1936) and Felt and Tarrant School of Comptometry in Chicago. Mary Rita was employed by Public Service and on October 11, 1941 she married James Phelan in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manhattan. Together Mary Rita and James were engaged in farming their entire married life. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wilton Center for over 60 years, where she was involved with the Altar and Rosary Society. She loved her family and playing Pinochle.

Survivors include her loving children: Bill (Georgia) Phelan and Dan (Lynne) Phelan, both of Florence Township, Gerald (the late Vicky) Phelan of Wesley Township, Ed (Judy) Phelan of Macomb, Illinois and Mary (Mike) Lappe of Chicago. (11) Grandchildren; (10) Great Grandchildren and one nephew James Lawler of Manhattan., Illinois.

Mary Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband James (2002), granddaughter Theresa Osburn (2005), brother Virgil Lawler (1989) and daughter-in-law Vicky (1988).

Visitation will be held on Sunday June 3, 2007 between the hours of 3:00PM and 7:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow on Monday June 4th, processing from the funeral home at 9:30AM to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wilton Center, where a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Rev. Gerald Schubert will officiate and burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gift's in Mary Rita's memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 S. Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481 or St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wilton Center, 14936 W. Peotone Road, Manhattan, Illinois 60442-0062.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington. For additional information: www.ReevesFuneral.com or 815/476-7621.