Mary Idona Wilmot

Mary Idona McConnell was born to John Wesley and Sarah (Sadie) Elizabeth (Lockard) McConnell on a farm near Cambridge, Nebraska on September 15, 1929. Mary passed away on Friday June 11, 2010 at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital. Marys school years were spent at the Wilsonville schools where she graduated in 1947. During high school she worked as a phone operator. Following graduation she completed cosmetology training and received her license. It was during this time her school sweetheart popped the question. She married Merlin Wilmot on December 6, 1950 at Oxford, Nebraska. ` Mary and Merlin were blessed with three sons: Richard Lee, Wesley Wayne and Rex Allen. Through the years Mary was employed at the Wilsonville Grocery, at the Rayburn Drug store, at the Cambridge Hospital where she cooked and at Wildcat Chemical. Marys time was also spent keeping books for their family business, MLX Trucking. In later years she also worked at the Wilsonville Post Office. Mary was a member of the Wilsonville Methodist Church for over 50 years. In 2009 Mary was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the United Methodist Women for her faithful service. As a member of the Wilsonville Methodist Church, Mary served many years as treasurer. Leisure time was filled with memberships in the Double 8 Club and the Happy Hour Club. Mary also served her community by serving on the Wilsonville School Board. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Merlin in October 2008; her parents; sisters: Vera Meader, Opal Northrup, Florence Vise, Imogene Newton, Pearl Beeler, Ruby Warner, Leona Kern, Lola Cass and Doris Bradley; and brothers: Russell, Glen (Kelse) and Robert (Bob). She is survived by her sons Richard Lee and wife Janet, Wesley and wife Kathy, all of Beaver City and Rex of Lebanon; grandchildren, Randy (Lori) Klooz, Rick (Becky) Klooz, Christal (Shawn) Whetstine, Amberlee Wilmot and Josalyn Wilmot; 12 great-grandchildren: Mitchell, Emily, Karsen, Jacob and Abigail Klooz; Reagan and Lincoln Klooz; Madison, Kaiden and MaKenna Whetstine; Alexis and Alivia Parker. Memorial services will be held on Thursday at 10:00 AM at the United Baptist Christian Church in Wilsonville, NE. Officiating the services will be Brad Holtze and Keith Theobald. Inurnment will be in the Wilsonville Cemetery. Memorial may be left in her name at the Lockenour-Jones Mortuary to childrens ministries or church missions.