Mary Ellen Mallery

Our kind and loving mother, Mary Ellen Umholtz Mallery, 90, of Edelstein, Illinois passed peacefully from this world at 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Her beloved daughters, Helen and Kathy, were at her side as well as her 'favorite' niece, Lila David Sanders. Although, Mary would tell you that she doesn't have a favorite; they are all her favorites.

Mary was welcomed as the sixth child of Clinton K. Umholtz and Mary M. (Haynes) Umholtz on August 9,1934 in a small, shotgun house in Mapleton, Illinois. It was a record high 104 degrees that day.

She married Stanley Patrick Mallery on June 30, 1957 at Glasford Baptist Church, Glasford, Illinois. They were together for 47 years before she lost him to cancer on August 1, 2004. They lost their only son, Patrick Michael Mallery, on March 14, 1987. She missed them until her last breath.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, and parents-in-law, Richard and Irma Mallery, as well as all but one of her siblings and their spouses. They are Clinton/Jim (Shirley) Umholtz, Nancy (Roscoe) Cape, Justa Isbell, Anna (Danny) David, John (Julia) Umholtz, Charles (Darlene) Umholtz, William Umholtz, Thomas Umholtz, and Shirley Mallery (Thomas) Lum. Two nieces (Glenda and Karla) and three nephews (Thomas, Judd and Tony) also predeceased her.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Helen Mallery Bloom, and Kathy (Harold) Hornback, all of Edelstein and son-in-law, Roger Bloom of Peoria. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Michael (Heidi) DeKeyser of Dunlap, Stephanie (Benjamin) Cape of Madison, Wisconsin, Joseph Hornback of Henry, Jacob (Mandy) Hornback of Lacon, Alexander Mallery of Westfield, Indiana, Catherine Mallery of Indianapolis, Indiana, Christopher (Amy) Mallery of Fishers, Indiana, Geoff (Julie) Bloom of Indian Wells, California and her six great-grandchildren, Emerson DeKeyser, M. Grayden DeKeyser, Colin Cape, Luka Hornback, Scarlett Mallery, and Stella Mallery. Her sister, Jessie (Justa) Isbell also survives along with many much-loved nieces and nephews, including her 'favorite' Hawaiian nieces, Malia, Tiana, and Teani. She is also survived by her daughters of the heart, Monica (John) Mann and Meta Belford.

Mary graduated from Timber Township High School in 1952. She was known for her athletic ability, especially in basketball and baseball, but the only girls' teams then were intramural. She was proud to say that the boys always wanted her to join their teams.

She went to work at Boss Glove Factory until 1958 when she was expecting her first child. She moved to the harder job of raising three children before going to work at the Tupperware warehouse when her youngest went to college. She went back to being a homemaker and busy, babysitting Grandma when the grandchildren began arriving.

She joined the Traveler's Protective Association (TPA), in which her husband was heavily involved, when they opened membership to women.

She had many interests, but Family was always first and foremost. Sundays meant dinner at her family home followed by a visit to the in-laws. She attended sporting events and other events of all kinds to watch her nieces and nephews, children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren participate. She was looking forward to watching Colin and Luka play baseball this season, and had just attended her last hockey game a couple of months ago where she was yelling at the referrees to throw the boys who were on top of Grayden out of the game. She also enjoyed attending Emmy's choir concerts and Madrigal dinner.

She was a Cub fan and enjoyed watching the games 'with' her sister, Ann, over the phone. She also enjoyed playing the lottery and bingo, gambling trips with friends, bowling, fishing, mushroom hunting, and berrying.

She found joy in life daily, especially in nature. She loved to look out her window at the birds and other wildlife such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, and turkeys. She had a big, wild Tom turkey that followed her around one year whenever she went outside. She was fascinated by the moon, and got really excited to see the last solar eclipse. Her daughter took her out for rides and to Dairy Queen often. She loved feeding French fries to the gulls while eating her strawberry sundae and watching the river flow by.

She will be laid to rest next to her husband and son at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Mapleton, Illinois.

Arrangements are being handled by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2025 at the funeral home, with funeral services scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, also at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

OSF Richard L Owens Hospice Home

https://www.osfhealthcare.org/foundation/give/hospice/owens-donation

Traveler's Protective Association (TPA) - TPA Hearing Trust

https://www.tpahq.org/

Midwest Food Bank

https://www.midwestfoodbank.org/locations/peoria-il/donate-peoria

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com