Mary Ray Klingenberg's Obituary
On May 15th 2014 -5:12pm God brought Mary Ray Klingenberg home to heaven from Good Samaritan Regional Hospital in Mt Vernon. Mary had reached the age of 49 years 7 months and 14 days.
Mary was the dearly beloved and only child of Ray and Lucille (Williamson) Klingenberg. Much of the Pinckneyville Hospital staff was worried --the day of Mary's birth (Oct 29,1964) because Mary's Mother was considered to be advanced in age (42).
Mary's life began, happily on the family farm. In Kindergarten at 204 school, Mary would meet many who would become her lifelong friends. Mary's spirit was kind, generous, hardworking, and quiet. She never chose to raise a fuss or got into any kind of trouble as a student.
Mary's parents did not want her to pursue education past middle school and kept her home enough that the state forced Mary into Foster Care.
Mary's parents were declining in health and Mary tried to run away from Foster Care many times to care for the parent's she loved so dearly. Finally Mary reached legal age and was able to move back with her parents.
Mary began a career in foodservice as a cook at Dixies (formerly Kittens) when she was 18. Mary could not know, but that would be a job title which she would hold for the next 31 years.
Mary's warm, humble, sweet personality welcomed thousands of people into the restaurant, through her years of employment. Mary most often worked night shift; effortlessly taking orders, cooking and playing waitress all at the same time. No customers were treated differently. In Mary's eyes everyone deserved polite, efficient, and pleasant service. . Mary worked nights so she could spend the most time at home with her children. She loved her children dearly, often sacrificing her basic needs, so that her children could have something they wanted. Although she loved her work, Mary loved her children more. Becoming a Grandmother, Mary said: was the best thing that ever happened to her. Mary was called "MOM" by many who needed warmth and understanding. Mary also found time to garden, sew, and read. She was known to her children as the "Mom" who needs just 4 hours of sleep a night. " Survivors include two sons, Brian Thomas and Daniel Thomas (Kristy Shoate); two daughters, Katelynn Thomas (Anthony Kane) and Bethany Thomas; grandson, Brantley Thomas all of Pinckneyville, IL; long-time partner, Jerry Thomas of Pinckneyville, IL; numerous cousins and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Rob Mathis officiating. Interment will be in Concord Baptist Cemetery, Rice, IL. Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Mary Ray Klingenberg family.
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