Mary Elizabeth Garrison

Mary Elizabeth Garrison, 95, died Wednesday, January 16, 2013 in Pinecrest Manor. She was born on May 15, 1917 at her parents' farm in Pinecreek Township, Oregon, Illinois, the daughter of Samuel Jacob and Anna Rebecca Miller Hanes. She graduated from Mt. Morris High School in 1935, attended Northern Illinois State Teachers College and National College of Education in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Education in 1964. She was married to Howard Garrison on December 10, 1944 and they farmed near Polo, IL for 47 years. She taught in several rural one-room schools then in Polo elementary schools for a total of 27 years. Mary Elizabeth was a lifetime member of the Church of the Brethren, serving in a variety of capacities. She belonged to the Illinois Education Association, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Polo Kensington Club, the Pine Creek Woman's Club, the Mt. Morris Current Events Club and Ogle County Home Extension Club. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years. Survivors include her son, Ed (Mary Lou) of Mt. Morris; grandson Gabriel (Amy) and great-grandsons Daniel, Noah and Benjamin of Peace Valley, MO and granddaughter Abra (special friend Johnny Ross) of Fayetteville, AR. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 3 PM at the Mt. Morris Church of the Brethren, 409 W. Brayton Road, with visitation at the church prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery, Mt. Morris, IL. Funeral arrangements were completed by Finch Funeral Home in Mt. Morris. Memorials have been established for the Mt.Morris Church of the Brethren and the Good Samaritan Fund at Pinecrest Community.