Mary Elizabeth Weise

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Weise, age 88 of Goreville and formerly of Anna, died at 9:30 am, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at her home in Goreville. She was born on April 8, 1924 in Jonesboro, the daughter of Oliver Houston and Ida Myrtle (DeWitt) Ferguson. Mary was married to John Henry Gibbs, Jr. in Jackson, Missouri. She later married John Weise. Mary was active in the Anna Heights Baptist Church for many years where she learned to grow in her faith by studying God's Word daily. She was a firm believer in living what she learned. She loved the Lord, her family, her church, as well as our beloved homeland, America. She expressed her love by always extending a helping hand when needed. Mary was employed at the Anna State Hospital as a psychiatric Aid for thirty-six years. Upon her retirement in 1986, she traveled with friends from the Anna Heights Baptist Church to Israel, a very memorable trip for her which she enjoyed immensely. Mary was always concerned for the less fortunate and for all who were in need. She viewed everyone as being worthy of receiving love, compassion and mercy. Mary traveled to several states throughout the United States and also to Mexico on various mission trips. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Weise is survived by a daughter, Peggy (Travis) Wheaton of Goreville; one son, DeLayne "Dee" (Sandie) Gibbs of West Frankfort; five grandchildren, Phillip (Barbara) Wheaton, Kenneth (Mary) Wheaton, Michael J. Wheaton, Andrew (Leah) Gibbs and Christopher (Sheri) Gibbs; thirteen great-grandchildren, Joshua, Benjamin, Rebecca, Jonathon, Jacquelyn, Destiny, Michael, MacKenzie, Greer and Parker Wheaton and Zachery, Maggie and Max Gibbs; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, John Gibbs Jr. and John Weise; a daughter, Mary Alice Gibbs; two brothers, Oliver DeWitt Ferguson and David Lowell Ferguson; three sisters, Fannie Ferguson, Edna Kathryn Baine and Evelyn Barbara Bond. A special "Thank You" and recognition to all who helped our family through our time of difficulty, especially all of the staff at Heartland Regional Hospital in Marion as well as Hospice of Southern Illinois. A special 'thank you' also to all of the wonderful family members, friends and neighbors who came and made Mary's departure so much easier to bear. We will always miss our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor who was always there to give a helping hand. God bless each and every one of you until we all meet again on Heaven's shores. Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Weise will be conducted on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Anna Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott Harner officiating. Interment will be in the St. John's Cemetery near Dongola. Friends may call on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 10:00 am until the funeral hour at 1:00 pm at the Anna Heights Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the following charities: Life Outreach International; International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and/or Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. Envelopes will be available at the Anna Heights Baptist Church or at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna.