Marie L. Stontz, 94, of Kewanee, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16 at Prairie Place Senior Living in Kewanee surrounded by her children.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 20 at Saint John Paul II Parish in Kewanee. Celebrant will be Fr. Narcis Katambe. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with recitation of the rosary at 4:30 p.m. The burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Marie was born on Oct. 27, 1931 in Kewanee, the daughter of Charles and Sarah Tellier. She married Thomas P. Stontz on Oct. 28, 1950. Survivors include her four children; Tom (Karen) Stontz of Rock Island, Teresa (Dave) Bryner of Kewanee, Jerry Stontz of Rio Hondo, Texas and Jackie (Rick) Johnson of Kewanee; grandchildren; Kevin (Eydie) Witt, Keith (Lisa) Witt, Andrew (Corinne) Stontz, Matthew Stontz, Brett (Nicole) Bryner, Brooke (Spencer) Jewell, Brittnee (Skyler) Palen, Jerome Stontz, Amanda (Mike) Minx, Valerie (Doug) Karasek and Brad and Jamie Stontz; and great-grandchildren; Ollie, Lucas, and Collin Witt, Brayden and Greyson Bryner, Allie and Kinley Jewell, Hayden and Kellen Palen, Eli Stontz, Henry and Ralph Minx, and Rory and Vivian Karasek. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom, and her brothers Walter Andrewjeski and Merriel Tellier.

Marie attended Lyle and Franklin Schools and graduated from Kewanee High School in 1949. After high school Marie started her long working career and worked in retail her whole life. Her first job was at Singer Sewing Center and then at DeWulf-Stontz Grocery Store, Siegman’s Furniture, Kewanee Locker Service, Del Farm, Super Valu, Good’s Rathskeller and Jacobsens’s bakery where she was known for her strong work ethic and friendly spirit.

A devout Catholic, her faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church and then St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. When it closed, she became a member of St. Francis of Assisi and then St. John Paul II Catholic Church.

Above all, Marie cherished time spent with her family and friends creating lasting memories and surrounding those she loved with warmth, kindness and unwavering love. She enjoyed attending sporting events for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling to Meskwaki in Tama, Iowa; Biloxi, Miss.; Laughlin, Nev.; and the Quad Cities to game at the various casinos. She also enjoyed dancing with her husband Tom and all of their friends every Saturday night at the Flemish-American Club where she was a member for many years; cooking and baking pies cookies and coffee cakes for her friends and family was one of her favorite past times. She also loved working in the yard of her long-time home on Vine Street that she and the love of her life built together.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Flemish-American Club or to the family to be used to plant trees in local parks within the community.