Mary Joan Conkey Adams, 87, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at her home in Jacksonville, IL.
She was born on January 31, 1931 near Newmansville in rural Menard County, to Joseph Leroy and Nellie Iona (Marcussen) Conkey. She married Joy L. Adams at the Ashland Christian Church on January 24, 1960. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1991.
She is survived by a sister, Alice Reiser (husband, John Jr.) of Ashland; a brother, Robert Conkey of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Ruth Clasing of Peoria, Marjorie Thompson of Ashland, and Patricia Cline of Pleasant Plains; and two brothers, Ray L. Conkey of Springfield and John A. Conkey of Chillicothe.
Mary was a 1948 graduate of Ashland High School. Following high school, she went to work for Ullman Optical in Springfield. However, most Jacksonville area residents will know her as “the lady from the chemical place” or “the lady from the seed store”, as she and her late husband, Joy Adams, owned and operated Jacksonville Seed & Chemical for nearly 50 years in downtown Jacksonville. Mary retired in 2002 following 45 years of advice and sales alongside her husband, Joy, and 15 years alongside her nephew, Franklin E. Cline.
A dedicated community volunteer, she served many years as a member of the Jacksonville Cemetery Board, over 40 years as a volunteer in the gift shop at Passavant Area Hospital, and over 20 years of service as the secretary and treasurer for the “After 5 Club”, a Christian Women’s Fellowship. As a member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, she would often assist with mailings and monitoring the phone during lunch hours. She was active with the Morgan County Republican Women, helping with mailings and working in the headquarters office. And for several years, she worked at the polling places as an election judge. Mary was also a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, whose motto is “doing good for others”.
Mary and her husband were strong believers in providing children with a good education. The Adams’ privately helped several high school graduates and former employees attend college. Following Joy’s death, Mary funded the Joy L. Adams Memorial Scholarship for any Jacksonville 4-H member who wished to attend the University of Illinois and major in Agriculture.
She has been a member of the Lalla Rookh Chapter, Order of Eastern Star for over 60 years. She voluntarily served the Illinois Grand Masonic Lodge Masonic Charities Fund as the person who personally inscribed over 4,000 Bibles, which were sent to Widows all over the world. She served on the Advisory Board of the Jacksonville-Golden Assembly No. 19, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was known to quietly pay for girls’ degree fees, dues, and financially sponsor girls who could not otherwise afford to go to the Grand Assembly. In recognition of her decades of community service, Mary was presented with the Community Builders Award in 2010 by Harmony Lodge #3 AF & AM.
A long time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Mary served many years as the treasurer of the Crafty Ladies Circle, as a member of the Church’s Administrative Council, and for several years helped audit the Sunday offerings.
Mary was a cancer survivor and proud supporter of the Tri-County Relay for Life, as she had battled seven different kinds of cancer over the years. As a lifelong devoted supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, her greatest joy was to receive the Cardinal schedule for the upcoming season and schedule her days to be home to watch the games.
A memorial service will celebrate her life at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 6, 2018, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with refreshments served at the church following the services. The family will meet friends at the church from 11:00 am Friday until the time of the service. A private family interment will be held later at Ashland Cemetery.
Memorial gifts are suggested to Shriners Hospital for Children or Grace United Methodist Church.
The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements.
She was born on January 31, 1931 near Newmansville in rural Menard County, to Joseph Leroy and Nellie Iona (Marcussen) Conkey. She married Joy L. Adams at the Ashland Christian Church on January 24, 1960. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1991.
She is survived by a sister, Alice Reiser (husband, John Jr.) of Ashland; a brother, Robert Conkey of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Ruth Clasing of Peoria, Marjorie Thompson of Ashland, and Patricia Cline of Pleasant Plains; and two brothers, Ray L. Conkey of Springfield and John A. Conkey of Chillicothe.
Mary was a 1948 graduate of Ashland High School. Following high school, she went to work for Ullman Optical in Springfield. However, most Jacksonville area residents will know her as “the lady from the chemical place” or “the lady from the seed store”, as she and her late husband, Joy Adams, owned and operated Jacksonville Seed & Chemical for nearly 50 years in downtown Jacksonville. Mary retired in 2002 following 45 years of advice and sales alongside her husband, Joy, and 15 years alongside her nephew, Franklin E. Cline.
A dedicated community volunteer, she served many years as a member of the Jacksonville Cemetery Board, over 40 years as a volunteer in the gift shop at Passavant Area Hospital, and over 20 years of service as the secretary and treasurer for the “After 5 Club”, a Christian Women’s Fellowship. As a member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, she would often assist with mailings and monitoring the phone during lunch hours. She was active with the Morgan County Republican Women, helping with mailings and working in the headquarters office. And for several years, she worked at the polling places as an election judge. Mary was also a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, whose motto is “doing good for others”.
Mary and her husband were strong believers in providing children with a good education. The Adams’ privately helped several high school graduates and former employees attend college. Following Joy’s death, Mary funded the Joy L. Adams Memorial Scholarship for any Jacksonville 4-H member who wished to attend the University of Illinois and major in Agriculture.
She has been a member of the Lalla Rookh Chapter, Order of Eastern Star for over 60 years. She voluntarily served the Illinois Grand Masonic Lodge Masonic Charities Fund as the person who personally inscribed over 4,000 Bibles, which were sent to Widows all over the world. She served on the Advisory Board of the Jacksonville-Golden Assembly No. 19, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was known to quietly pay for girls’ degree fees, dues, and financially sponsor girls who could not otherwise afford to go to the Grand Assembly. In recognition of her decades of community service, Mary was presented with the Community Builders Award in 2010 by Harmony Lodge #3 AF & AM.
A long time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Mary served many years as the treasurer of the Crafty Ladies Circle, as a member of the Church’s Administrative Council, and for several years helped audit the Sunday offerings.
Mary was a cancer survivor and proud supporter of the Tri-County Relay for Life, as she had battled seven different kinds of cancer over the years. As a lifelong devoted supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, her greatest joy was to receive the Cardinal schedule for the upcoming season and schedule her days to be home to watch the games.
A memorial service will celebrate her life at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 6, 2018, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with refreshments served at the church following the services. The family will meet friends at the church from 11:00 am Friday until the time of the service. A private family interment will be held later at Ashland Cemetery.
Memorial gifts are suggested to Shriners Hospital for Children or Grace United Methodist Church.
The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements.
Mary Joan Conkey Adams, 87, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at her home in Jacksonville, IL.
She was born on January 31, 1931 near Newmansville in rural Menard County, to Joseph Leroy and Nellie Iona (Marcussen) Conkey. She married Joy L. Adams at the Ashland Christian Church on January 24, 1960. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1991.
She is survived by a sister, Alice Reiser (husband, John Jr.) of Ashland; a brother, Robert Conkey of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Ruth Clasing of Peoria, Marjorie Thompson of Ashland, and Patricia Cline of Pleasant Plains; and two brothers, Ray L. Conkey of Springfield and John A. Conkey of Chillicothe.
Mary was a 1948 graduate of Ashland High School. Following high school, she went to work for Ullman Optical in Springfield. However, most Jacksonville area residents will know her as “the lady from the chemical place” or “the lady from the seed store”, as she and her late husband, Joy Adams, owned and operated Jacksonville Seed & Chemical for nearly 50 years in downtown Jacksonville. Mary retired in 2002 following 45 years of advice and sales alongside her husband, Joy, and 15 years alongside her nephew, Franklin E. Cline.
A dedicated community volunteer, she served many years as a member of the Jacksonville Cemetery Board, over 40 years as a volunteer in the gift shop at Passavant Area Hospital, and over 20 years of service as the secretary and treasurer for the “After 5 Club”, a Christian Women’s Fellowship. As a member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, she would often assist with mailings and monitoring the phone during lunch hours. She was active with the Morgan County Republican Women, helping with mailings and working in the headquarters office. And for several years, she worked at the polling places as an election judge. Mary was also a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, whose motto is “doing good for others”.
Mary and her husband were strong believers in providing children with a good education. The Adams’ privately helped several high school graduates and former employees attend college. Following Joy’s death, Mary funded the Joy L. Adams Memorial Scholarship for any Jacksonville 4-H member who wished to attend the University of Illinois and major in Agriculture.
She has been a member of the Lalla Rookh Chapter, Order of Eastern Star for over 60 years. She voluntarily served the Illinois Grand Masonic Lodge Masonic Charities Fund as the person who personally inscribed over 4,000 Bibles, which were sent to Widows all over the world. She served on the Advisory Board of the Jacksonville-Golden Assembly No. 19, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was known to quietly pay for girls’ degree fees, dues, and financially sponsor girls who could not otherwise afford to go to the Grand Assembly. In recognition of her decades of community service, Mary was presented with the Community Builders Award in 2010 by Harmony Lodge #3 AF & AM.
A long time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Mary served many years as the treasurer of the Crafty Ladies Circle, as a member of the Church’s Administrative Council, and for several years helped audit the Sunday offerings.
Mary was a cancer survivor and proud supporter of the Tri-County Relay for Life, as she had battled seven different kinds of cancer over the years. As a lifelong devoted supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, her greatest joy was to receive the Cardinal schedule for the upcoming season and schedule her days to be home to watch the games.
A memorial service will celebrate her life at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 6, 2018, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with refreshments served at the church following the services. The family will meet friends at the church from 11:00 am Friday until the time of the service. A private family interment will be held later at Ashland Cemetery.
Memorial gifts are suggested to Shriners Hospital for Children or Grace United Methodist Church.
The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements.
She was born on January 31, 1931 near Newmansville in rural Menard County, to Joseph Leroy and Nellie Iona (Marcussen) Conkey. She married Joy L. Adams at the Ashland Christian Church on January 24, 1960. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1991.
She is survived by a sister, Alice Reiser (husband, John Jr.) of Ashland; a brother, Robert Conkey of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Ruth Clasing of Peoria, Marjorie Thompson of Ashland, and Patricia Cline of Pleasant Plains; and two brothers, Ray L. Conkey of Springfield and John A. Conkey of Chillicothe.
Mary was a 1948 graduate of Ashland High School. Following high school, she went to work for Ullman Optical in Springfield. However, most Jacksonville area residents will know her as “the lady from the chemical place” or “the lady from the seed store”, as she and her late husband, Joy Adams, owned and operated Jacksonville Seed & Chemical for nearly 50 years in downtown Jacksonville. Mary retired in 2002 following 45 years of advice and sales alongside her husband, Joy, and 15 years alongside her nephew, Franklin E. Cline.
A dedicated community volunteer, she served many years as a member of the Jacksonville Cemetery Board, over 40 years as a volunteer in the gift shop at Passavant Area Hospital, and over 20 years of service as the secretary and treasurer for the “After 5 Club”, a Christian Women’s Fellowship. As a member of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, she would often assist with mailings and monitoring the phone during lunch hours. She was active with the Morgan County Republican Women, helping with mailings and working in the headquarters office. And for several years, she worked at the polling places as an election judge. Mary was also a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, whose motto is “doing good for others”.
Mary and her husband were strong believers in providing children with a good education. The Adams’ privately helped several high school graduates and former employees attend college. Following Joy’s death, Mary funded the Joy L. Adams Memorial Scholarship for any Jacksonville 4-H member who wished to attend the University of Illinois and major in Agriculture.
She has been a member of the Lalla Rookh Chapter, Order of Eastern Star for over 60 years. She voluntarily served the Illinois Grand Masonic Lodge Masonic Charities Fund as the person who personally inscribed over 4,000 Bibles, which were sent to Widows all over the world. She served on the Advisory Board of the Jacksonville-Golden Assembly No. 19, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was known to quietly pay for girls’ degree fees, dues, and financially sponsor girls who could not otherwise afford to go to the Grand Assembly. In recognition of her decades of community service, Mary was presented with the Community Builders Award in 2010 by Harmony Lodge #3 AF & AM.
A long time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Mary served many years as the treasurer of the Crafty Ladies Circle, as a member of the Church’s Administrative Council, and for several years helped audit the Sunday offerings.
Mary was a cancer survivor and proud supporter of the Tri-County Relay for Life, as she had battled seven different kinds of cancer over the years. As a lifelong devoted supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, her greatest joy was to receive the Cardinal schedule for the upcoming season and schedule her days to be home to watch the games.
A memorial service will celebrate her life at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 6, 2018, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Jacksonville with refreshments served at the church following the services. The family will meet friends at the church from 11:00 am Friday until the time of the service. A private family interment will be held later at Ashland Cemetery.
Memorial gifts are suggested to Shriners Hospital for Children or Grace United Methodist Church.
The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements.
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