Mary Lou Lehr
August 30, 2003

Mary Lou Bomgardner Lehr, wife of John Joseph Lehr, of Hull, died Saturday morning, August 30, 2003  in the Skilled Nursing Unit at Blessing Hospital. Daughter of Carl and Juanita Hartford Bomgardner of Unionville, Mo., Mary Lou married John Lehr, in Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, Mo., on May 26, 1949.

She and Jack are the proud parents of six children: Pat (Patricia Anne) of Kirksville, Mo., Terri (Teresa Marie) of Quincy, Steve (John Steven) and wife Kathy of Pittsfield, Dave (Carl David) and Kristi of Camp Pendleton, CA, Mike (Michael Gerard) deceased, and Mary Ellen and her husband Lyle Donley of Hull, Il. Her six grandchildren are one of the greatest joys of her life: Kelsey Alyce Lehr, Pittsfield, IL, Olivia and Victoria Cook, Gabriel Steven and Grayson Michael Lehr of Camp Pendleton, in San Diego, CA, and John Henry Lehr Donley of Hull, Il. She is also survived by 3 sisters Jean Noffke, Oconomowoc, WI; Opal Clack, Mentor, Ohio and Carolyn Stamblesky, Mentor, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Mike and 2 brothers Bob and Bill Bomgardner; and 2 sisters Louise Musil and Janice Bomgardner.

An accomplished artist and seamstress, Mary Lou was a devoted mom and homemaker first and foremost. A member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Barry, IL, and Pike County Home Extension, she was also a Scout leader and active in school & community activities. During her teaching career Mary Lou taught grades 1 through 8 in a one room school house, Home Economics, art & science in Missouri & Iowa and, after raising her family, was a favorite substitute teacher in the West Pike School District #2.

Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 PM with a A Memorial Wake service at 7 P.M. followed by a rosary at the Hansen Spear Funeral Home. Prayers will be Tuesday at 12:30 PM in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Rev. Frank Westhoff of Springfield and Rev. Roy Bauer will concelebrate at Mary Lou's Mass of Resurrection at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Tuesday afternoon at 1 P.M. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery, Hannibal, MO.

In lieu of floral arrangements the family requests friends to make a donation at the funeral home to the Heifer Project International and/or bring a long stemmed flower from the garden or florist to add to a communal bouquet. Vases will be provided.

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