Obituary index

Mary Pate

[April 07, 2010]  LINCOLN -- Mary L. Pate, 82, of Springfield, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Vonderlieth Living Center in Mount Pulaski.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday at Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home in Lincoln. Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Richard Stiltz officiating.

Burial will follow in Jacksonville East Cemetery, Jacksonville.

Mrs. Pate worked as a line boat cook for the Iowa Marine Barge Co. for several years and retired in 1987. Prior to that she was a longtime chef at the Springfield Supper Club.

She was born July 10, 1927, in Jacksonville. Her parents were Charles and Emily Bell Campbell. She married William M. Pate, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 21, 1984.

She is survived by her sons, Rodney (and wife Linda) Pate of Springfield and Randy (and wife Tammy) Pate of Auburn; her daughters, Becky Pate of Springfield, Debbie Murphy of Pawnee and Sally (and husband Jerry) Hampton of Springfield; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by one brother and six sisters.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Easton.

Mary loved to cook. She enjoyed going to garage sales, watching soap operas, visiting with her grandchildren and refereeing her children. Her family was very important to her, and she made it a point to keep them together.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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