Mary L. Brothers

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mary L. Brothers, 80, of Harrisburg, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, at her residence in Harrisburg.

Mary was born on Dec. 15, 1928, in Carrier Mills, to the late James Henry and Mabel Ruth (VanHoy) Walton, She married Vernie Leroy Brothers on Dec. 20, 1951, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 1999. Mary was a retired millinery worker.

Mary is survived by one daughter, Sherry Dooley and husband Jim of Carrier Mills; three sons, Mike Brothers and wife Diane of Decatur, Randy Brothers and wife Mary of Harrisburg and Jeff Brothers and wife Melanie of Marion; eight grandchildren, Kim, Scott, Lora, Trevor, Melissa, Matthew, Nick and Allison; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, John Walton and wife Patti of Waynesboro, Pa.; a sister-in-law, JoAnne Brown of Harrisburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Henry and Mabel Walton; husband, Leroy; one brother, J.D. Walton; and two sisters, Ruby Bryant and Helen Carman.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. The Rev. Dick Driskell will officiate; burial will follow in Sunset Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Ronald McDonald Children's Charities. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Harrisburg Medical Center Staff, Harrisburg Home Healthcare Nurses and Dr. Larry R. Jones.