Obituary: Mary Lue Kieffer Langendorfer
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mary Lue Kieffer Langendorfer, 94, of rural Junction, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the Ridgway Manor Nursing Home in Ridgway.
Mary was born near Shawneetown to John F. and Della Mae (Lackey) Kieffer on April 9, 1916. She attended both Shawneetown elementary and high school, graduating from SCHS in 1935. Mary enrolled at Southern Illinois University in September 1935, where she earned her teacher's certificate in 1937. She taught her first year of school, 1937-1938 in Dowell. Her teacher's contract specifically stated that she would be automatically dismissed from her teaching position if she married during her employment. After teaching in a rural school, 1938-1939, Mary returned to Shawneetown, where she taught the next five years in both old and new Shawneetown before resigning to be married on June 1, 1944, to Charles Wendell Langendorfer at the First Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Wendell preceded her in death on Aug. 12, 1994.
Mary's love for children and teaching was accomplished having spent 36 1/2 years in the Illinois-Iowa school systems, retiring in May 1981 from the Equality school system, having spent her last 25 years of teaching there. She also taught Sunday School and the young couples' "Joy" class, and also was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
After retirement Mary worked with crafts and piecing together beautiful quilts. Mary enjoyed reading, cooking and writing family history and talking with her many friends.
She is survived by her daughter, May Ann Langendorfer of Junction; niece, Ann and David Bickman of Marion; and other several nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three infant sons; three sisters, Helen Kieffer, Bernice Herman and Dorothy G. Kieffer; and one brother, Dr. John D. Kieffer.
Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, at the Equality Presbyterian Church with visitation beginning at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Jerry Williams officiating. Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown will be charge of arrangements. Internet condolences may be made at the Internet site www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.