Marian L. Deputy
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Marian L. Deputy, 89, Harrisburg, passed away on Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, at Parkway Manor, Marion.
Marian was born on Aug. 17, 1921, in Brownfield, the daughter of Onelius and Pearl (Parr) Lewis. She married John D. Deputy, her high school sweetheart, on Dec. 21, 1941, in Golconda. He preceded her in death in June 2008.
Marian is survived by two children, David L. Deputy of Herrin and Diane Deputy (Stephen) Fulbright of Harrisburg; four grandchildren, Tracy (Scott) Monferdini of Kankakee, Eric (Ginnie) Deputy of Bonaire, Ga., Wade (Cindy) Fulbright of Harrisburg and Mesha (Sean) Averitt of Clarksville, Tenn.; seven great-grandchildren, Ashleigh, Shelby and Ryan Monferdini, Tyler Deputy, Jillian Fulbright and Madison and Patrick Averitt; and two nephews, Gerald Russell and George Wade Morris and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Mary Evelyn Morris; half-brother, Lester Lewis; two half-sisters, Carmen Smith and Marie Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.
Marian worked in the Harrisburg Public Schools for many years. She was a kindergarten aide and principal's secretary for most of her career. She also worked in the library at Harrisburg High School. After her retirement and until her passing, former students would fondly approach her to greet her and ask if she could remember them.
Besides her love of her family, McKinley Avenue Baptist Church and her students, her great passion was art. She began her interest in art in middle age and carried it on throughout the rest of her life. One of her proudest accomplishments was a large art show in 2009 featuring herself and fellow artist and close friend, Robin Stricklin.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to McKinley Avenue Baptist Church, especially Robin Stricklin and others who so faithfully visited Marian, helped with transportation for her to visit John during his last months and kept her spirits up during her long illness. Special appreciation also goes to the staff of Hospice of Southern Illinois and Parkway Manor of Marion.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. The Rev. David Estep officiated. Burial followed in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Golconda, where she was buried alongside the love of her life, John. Visitation was held from 9 a.m. to service time Wednesday at Reed Funeral Chapel. Memorial contribitions may be made to McKinley Avenue Baptist Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.