Mary Jane Lutz

She was an elementary school teacher. Having graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 1935, she attended Southern Illinois Teachers College (now Southern Illinois University- Carbondale) until 1937 when she received a teaching certificate. Starting the fall of that year, she taught for over thirty-five years until she retired in 1980. In 1958 she received a B. S. in education from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois.

She was a member of St. Matthew’s Methodist Church in Belleville, IL. She also belonged to the Junior Service Club, Junior Wednesday Club, and the St. Clair Country Club.

Mary Jane was an avid gardener, reader, dog owner, pianist, and singer.

She was preceded in death in 1990 by her husband of 48 years, Harry; her parents, Thomas Henry, Sr. and Effie Reese; her brothers, Thomas Henry Reese, Jr. and Richard Carlyle Reese; and her sister Helen Reese Wandling.

She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Lutz Billhymer; her granddaughter, Leslie Ariana Billhymer; and several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral was held at Valhalla Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Botanical Garden in memory of Mary Jane Lutz on its website or by mail. Condolences may be expressed online at [email protected] or by mail to her daughter, Suzanne Billhymer .

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois