Mary Lou Maple

   Mary Lou Maple, 97, of Sterling died on Friday, October 24 at the home of her daughter Marta Saville.

   Mary Lou was born on February 29, 1928 in Johnston City, IL to Charles and Bessie (Sutton) Perdue. The daughter of a coal miner, she and her two sisters grew up in Harco, IL, a small town where homes were owned by the coal company. She graduated from Galatia High School in May of 1946 and on August 6, 1946 married the love of her life Perry Dallas Maple. They were married in the parsonage of The Galatia Baptist Church and enjoyed 63 years together until Perry’s death in 2009.

   Their son Mike and daughter Vicki were born in southern Illinois. They moved to Sterling in July of 1954 and their daughter Marta was born three years later. Mary Lou was a homemaker who enjoyed creating a lovely and loving home.

   She was the first secretary of First Baptist Church, Sterling, and kept books for the building project for the new church on Sixth Avenue. Due to Perry being sick and needing insurance, Mary Lou went to work as a secretary at National Manufacturing Company in 1961. She worked there for 23 years and took early retirement to enjoy being home and having more time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling with Perry to visit family in southern Illinois and visiting other states and national monuments. Mary Lou and Perry enjoyed many years with dear friends going out to eat, playing pinochle and traveling. Mary Lou enjoyed looking nice with her hair done and makeup on. Even in her 90’s she made sure to have her lipstick on. Every Tuesday she could, Mary Lou had her hair done, then went to lunch at Willy’s to see her special friend Fabian who always treated her like royalty.

   Mary Lou was a faithful member of her church and active as a Sunday School teacher, a choir member and as a Deaconess. She was a wonderful example and lived her faith which sustained her throughout her life. It gave her assurance of life eternal.

   Mary Lou is survived by her children Mike and Gayle Maple of Aberdeen, SD, Vicki and Jim Olson of Sterling and Marta Saville of Sterling. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Ben and Jenny, Karissa and Jason, Jami and Darren, Kyle and Kari, Ashley and Don, Dustin and Erin, Travis and Shelly and Korey and Megan. Her precious great grandchildren are Sophie, Nick, Abigail, Grace, Nora, Wyat, Emme, Cole, Tyler, Weston, Eloise, Owen, Savanna, and step great grandchildren Hana, Kayla, Mason and Riley. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews she loved dearly and many dear friends from church and other walks of life.

   Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, husband Perry, sisters Sybil James and Betty Morris and dear friend Rena Greer. She was also preceded by in laws on both her side and Perry’s side of the family.

   Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Schilling Funeral Home. Visitation and funeral will be at Open Door Community Church, 1705 Sixth Avenue, Sterling, IL on Saturday November 1st. Visitation is from 9-11 with the funeral service at 11. A graveside service will follow at Oak Knoll Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the church.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary Lou’s name may be directed to Open Door Community Church.