Mary Ray Klingenberg
On May 15, 2014 at 5:12 p.m. God brought Mary Ray Klingenberg home to heaven from Good Samaritan Regional Hospital in Mount Vernon. Mary had reached the age of 49 years, seven 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. She was 42.
Mary's life began, happily, on the family farm. In Kindergarten at 204 school, Mary met many who became her life-long 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 parents she loved so dearly. Finally, Mary reached legal age and was able to move back with her parents.
Mary began a career in food service as a cook at Dixie's (formerly Kitten's) 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 four 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, Ill.; long-time partner, Jerry Thomas of Pinckneyville, Ill.; numerous cousins and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Rob Mathis officiating. Interment will be in Concord Baptist Cemetery, Rice, Ill.
Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Mary Ray Klingenberg family.
For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.