Mary Koonce

ULLIN, Ill. -- Mary Lou Koonce, 99, of Ullin died Monday, June 17, 2002, at Britt-Haven in Benton, Ky.

She was born April 23, 1903, in Jackson, Tenn., daughter of James H. and Louisa Grote Johnson Sr. She married I.E. "Dusty" Koonce, who died Dec. 3, 1970.

Koonce was formerly of Mounds, Ill. She was a retired bookkeeper and had worked at M.L. Koonce Ice, Coal and Transfer, Hastings Motor Co., Bumpa Tel Sign Co., Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen for Illinois Central and Northwestern Railroads, and was associated with her brother in Gulf Transport Co. She had been a district deputy for Royal Neighbors of America Insurance Co.

She served on the first Governor's Commission on the State of Women in Illinois, was listed in Who's Who of American Women and World's Who's Who in Commerce and Industry.

Koonce was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cairo, Ill., served on the church council and as church treasurer. She was a member of Order of Eastern Star in Mound City, Ill., White Shrine of Jerusalem and was a past worthy high priestess and worthy scribe.

She was a member of Illinois Business and Professional Women, served as chairman of District 12, treasurer and president. She also served the national BPW as recording secretary, convention chairman and chairman of the Youth Power Program.

Survivors include cousins, Harriet Henderson of Clearwater, Fla., Evelyn May of Deadwood, S.D., and Madeline West of Arcadia, Calif.

She was preceded in death by a brother.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Crain Funeral Home in Ullin, with the Rev. Richard Keplinger officiating. Burial will be in Hollywood Cemetery in Jackson, Tenn.

A celebration of life event will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Cache Valley Apartments.