Prophetstown, Ill. —

 

Mary Elizabeth Mosher, 95, of Prophetstown died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

She was born on April 5, 1916, daughter of Cyril and Leonie Verhulst, in Ottumwa, Iowa. Her family moved to Prophetstown when she was a junior in high school. She married J. Raynor Mosher on Jan. 27, 1940, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Prophetstown. Her husband died on Dec. 13, 2010.

Mom was the heart of our home. Over the course of her life, Mary and Raynor farmed in the Prophetstown, Tampico, Lanark, and Milledgeville areas.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tampico. She was a member of the Carroll and Whiteside County home extension units, past president of the Ladies’ Society of St. Wendelin’s Catholic Church in Shannon, and was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tampico.

She also promoted the farming community with her membership of the Red Meat Connection in Whiteside County.

She volunteered for many years at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Prophetstown. Mary loved playing cards, taking bus trips, and traveling across America. Her favorite pastime was crocheting and she made many afghans for her family during her life.

Mary was greatly loved by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Martha (Dennis) Sturtevant of Shannon, Rita (David) Thorngren of Milledgeville, John (Peggy) Mosher of Prophetstown, Bill (Nora) Mosher of Prophetstown, Theresa (Keith) Albers of Pearl City, and Gary (Denise) Mosher of Sterling; daughter-in-law, Diane Mosher of Lyndon; 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Joey Verhulst of Prophetstown; and a brother-in-law, Joe Mosher of Geneseo.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband; her son, Lyle; sister, Martha Cordrey; brothers, Ernest and Maurice Verhulst; and a brother and sister who died in infancy.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at McDonald’s Funeral Home in Prophetstown. Rosary will be said at 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tampico, with Monsignor Thomas Dzielak officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established memorial funds for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tampico and Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Prophetstown.

Online condolences may be extended at www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.