In loving memory of

Mary Jo Willis
November 16, 1944 - April 24, 2017


Mary Jo Willis
Mary Jo (Suydam) Willis, 72, of Fairview, was born on November 16, 1944 to Clifton Davies and Jessie L. (Burnett) Suydam in Fulton County, Illinois at Graham Hospital in Canton, Illinois. She passed away Monday April 24, 2017 at Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. She was raised in Fairview, Illinois and then the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado for eight years. They moved back to Fairview in 1960. In 1962 she graduated from Spoon River Valley High School, then graduated from Canton Community College in 1964 and Hope College, Holland, Michigan in 1966.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Frank Willis, whom she married on July 17, 1971. Frank died March 24, 2016. Surviving her is one son, Benjamin Levis Willis and his wife, Dr. Isa Alfonso, and their son, Julian, in New York City and one daughter, Mariam Graff in Los Angeles, California at UCLA.
She taught at South Fulton School from 1969-1972, Spoon River Valley Schools, and the International School in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia returning in 1989 to teach again at Spoon River Valley until 2005. She started Red Apple School with Nancy Dennis in the early seventies through the auspices of the Reformed Church. Her goal in teaching was to instill a love of knowledge.
Also surviving are: Her brother, Jerry (wife, Kay) in Canton, Illinois and three sisters, Marnie (husband, John) Newman in Chandler, AZ, Martha (husband, Jim) Orcutt in North Platte, NE and Marjie (husband, Gary) Shelby in Fairview, IL. Preceding her in death were her brother, Jim, who died on Nov. 4, 2007 and her eldest sister, Marilyn (Ken) Stratton, who died on January 11, 2011.
She loved her brothers and sisters children. Her nieces and nephews surviving her are: Randy, Dennis, and Dee Ann Stratton, Rod and Wendy Suydam, Jill Brady Smith, Valerie Ludden, and Shannon Nord, Jason and Justin Suydam, Troy and Ryan Shelby; Katie Orcutt Quick and Clifton Russell Orcutt. One nephew preceded her in death: Douglas Reed Suydam Wilcox.
Twenty-four great nieces and nephews survive her: Sean, Lindsey, Sabriah, Christin, Danielle, Jared, Wes, Jesse, Thyme, Zane, Tatum, Paige, Liam, Bryn, Ben, Ellie, Karissa, Anna, Ethan, Jacob, and Grace, Blake, Logan and Aiden. Two great-great grand nieces survive her: Aaliyah Wilcox and Gabriella Marie Suydam. Aiden Quick is also a great-great nephew.
She was a member of the Fairview Reformed Church in Fairview, IL since she was sixteen.
In lieu of a funeral, a Spoon River Valley Educational Fund Scholarship is set up under her husbands name at the Fairview State Bank. The address is Carter Street, Fairview, IL 61432. Recipients will be from the Spoon River Dist. 4 School.
Mary Jo was a sustaining member of Illinois Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary altruistic teachers sorority. She was the president of the local chapter Alpha Chi, and held the state office of Central Vice President.
She was president of Fairview Womans Club. She was a board member of the Fulton County Genealogical and Historical Society and the Fairview Township Library Board and Fulton Co. Retired Teachers. She enjoyed being a member of the Spoon River Drive (Fairviews area rep), and giving cemetery tours.
She was an amateur genealogist and had most of Fairviews families in her Family Tree Maker. All of her genealogy collection has been given to the Fairview Township Library. She compiled a Fairview History for her churchs 175th anniversary called God is Looking Down on Fairview in 2012. A memorial service will be held Thursday, April 27, 4:00 PM at Fairview Reformed Church in Fairview, Illinois. Cremations rites have been accorded the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements, memorials may be made to the Frank Willis Spoon River Valley Education Fund Scholarship in care of the Fairview State Bank. To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Dave Bybee wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Jody Kovachevich wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Alan Swearingen wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Nicole Christner wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Leigh Ann Smith wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Tina Slaight Mistic wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Dan Callihan wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Lisa Newcomb wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Claudia (Overcash) Starr wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Marla Ruberg wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Ellen and Mike Smith wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Angie, Rob, Cameron & Preston Taylor wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"Lit a candle in memory of Mary Jo Willis"

Kyle Varnold wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"Mrs. Willis was one of my favorite teachers. She truly introduced me to theatre with the several plays our 6th grade class would put on. I also fondly remember her for her many extracurricular activities we would take on as a class, that involved more hands-on projects that I could count. She also threw group monthly parties for each of our birthday months. Deepest condolences to the family and the whole Spoon River Valley community as she will be forever missed."

Jack and Connie Schleich wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"Mary Jo was one of a kind! A dear soul that shall be deeply missed on earth. We so enjoyed when she and Frank presented the children's sermon at Church. When she did something or expressed an opinion she gave it her all. I thank God that our paths crossed during my lifetime. I was the one to gain!! We will miss her greatly. Our Love Jack and Connie"

David Little wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"Friends and colleagues from the Fulton County Retired Teachers Association send our sympathy. We have made a $25.00 donation to the IRTA Foundation, which helps retired teachers on very limited incomes. We appreciate all that Mary Jo did for the local."

Ron Root wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"Mary Jo and her husband, Frank, made the world a better place. Their efforts in education stand out first and foremost, but they both had other interests that improved the quality of life for many. Their lives were fruitful beyond measure."

Alan Swearingen wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"I remember Mary Jo fondly. What a great person..!!"

Kelvin Sampson wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"Mary Jo was an extraordinary person and resource. Always willing to share with smile and a laugh. She will be missed by many. My deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the family."

Dan Callihan wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"She was my first grade teacher, and I loved her. She was so kind. i learned a lot from her, and I value that experience so much. I will never forget her."

Marta Liang wrote on Apr 26, 2017:

"So very saddened by the loss of Mrs. Willis. She was a roll model and inspiration, she was a great support in rough times. Will be forever grateful for lessons she taught me, in the class room, during Sunday school and so many times growing up. Love and thoughts go to her family in this time."

Brent fisher wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"She was loved, and will be missed by all! Our prayers go out to her family, and friends. Brent & Laura Fisher"

Isabel Alfonso wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"We miss you so much."

Julie and Larry Wasson wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"Condolences and deepest sympathy to the family in your loss. Comfort in knowing she was such a positive influence to so many. Honored to have called her a long time friend and colleague. Julie and Larry Wasson"

Cassie Babcock wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"We will miss Mary Jo up at the cafe. She loved our dessert! She was such a warm and easy person to talk to. Love and prayers to all."

Wilbur & Vicki (Deushane) Pettett wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"Who will ever forget Mary Jo's bubbly, contagious laughing personality? There will never be another Mary Jo!!!! You will be missed by so many--including your students AND your classmates. RIP friend!!!!!"

Tina Slaight Mistic wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"Thoughts and prayers to all of her family...such a sweet lady!!"

Randy Hurst wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"Condolences to family from Randy and Rosie and Robert Hurst"

Jennifer wasson wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"She was a good person, just like Frank was and their kids...Rip Mary jo"

Beth Watkins Ziegenfuss wrote on Apr 25, 2017:

"So sorry for your loss. Mrs. Willis was a wonderful person. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. Beth Watkins Ziegenfuss"