Mae M. Sheppard

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mae M. Sheppard, 88, of Peoria, formerly of Harrisburg and Slidell, La., died Sept. 14, 2009, at Belwood Nursing Home, Peoria.

Born May 16, 1921 in Pope County, to Halsey H. and Etta (Smith) Minor, she married Charles Sheppard on Sept. 2, 1939, in Benton, Ky. He preceded her in death in 2002. Surviving are her sister, Elma E. Von Lienen of Mapleton; and three generations of nieces and nephews.

Mae was a realtor in the New Orleans, La. area. She lived most of her adult life in Louisiana, most particularly in New Orleans and Slidell. She loved growing plants, her favorites being orchids and her lemon and satsuma trees in the backyard. She and her husband also enjoyed traveling the U.S. and overseas.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg. Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel, Bartonville, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences and tributes may be left at the Internet site www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.

Memorials may be made to Harbour Lights Hospice at Peoria.