Mary E. Stocks

Mary E. Stocks, age 82, of Fulton, Illinois passed peacefully Friday, April 13, 2012 at home. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, on April 19th at the Argo Fay Upper York Cemetery, rural Thomson, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Exceptional Care and Training Center or Mercy Hospice.
Mary was born March 8, 1930 in Canton Illinois, the daughter of Halmer and Alma (Kohncke) Klinefelter. She was raised in Lewistown, Illinois, graduating from Lewistown Community High School in 1949. She married Frederick (Fred) Stocks in 1950 in Canton, Illinois.
Mary graduated from CCC's Nursing program and worked as an RN for several years. Upon retirement, she and Fred enjoyed wintering at Arizona's Gold Canyon. More recently, Mary was a volunteer at the De Immigrant Windmill and Windmill Cultural Center.
Mary will be remembered as a caregiver of any living thing. She loved nature and was remarkable in noticing uncommon beauty in ordinary things. She loved reading, time with friends, cards and played tennis to the age of 81. Above all else, Mary will be remembered for her love of her family.
Mary is survived by one son, William (Jackie) Stocks of Chadwick, Illinois, three daughters, Leigh Ann (Van) Houzenga of Thomson, Illinois, Jane (Joe) French of Thomson, Jean-Marie (Russell) Black of Clinton, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; two brothers Howard (Irene) Klinefelter of Tennessee; John (Valerie) Klinefelter of Fair Oaks, California; two sisters, Anna Marie (Bill) Edsall of Canton, Illinois, Alma Finch of Wilmington, North Carolina. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Frederick and a great granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Pelham.
Finally, Mary is survived by her devoted dog, Henry who remained at her side to the end.