Mary Jane Hippler

Mary Jane (Eversole) Hippler

MONTICELLO - Mary Jane (Eversole) Hippler, 89, passed away quietly and humbly while surrounded by her loved ones on June 19, 2024 at Piatt County Nursing Home, Monticello.

Mary Jane was born at home on January 22, 1935, in Hindsboro, IL to Keith and Alberta (Scott) Eversole. She attended schools in Hindsboro, Arcola, and Indianapolis, IN, graduating from Arcola High School in 1953.

She attended the University of Illinois on a Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Communications, majoring in Radio and TV Journalism.

It was in a Journalism class at the U of I that she met her future husband, Charles "Chuck" E. Hippler. They married on February 15, 1958, in Arcola, IL and resided in Decatur, IL for 31 years. It was there they raised their six children. Their infant son, John Robert, died of heart complications in 1974. He was a sweet but brief addition to their family.

Chuck and Mary Jane remained married for 66 years, creating many wonderful memories while raising and wrangling their children, attending weekly prayer group meetings, traveling the world, and welcoming the happy arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Jane devoted herself to service, both civic and spiritual. She was a life-long learner, seeking always to improve herself and her relationships. Those who knew her, loved her, even those she only knew briefly. Many friends of her children remember her fondly for the care and consideration she gave them, and she took to heart her duties as a godmother to her many godchildren. Her smile could light up a room.

Mary Jane faced her decline with grace and humor. The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff and caregivers at Maple Point, Piatt County Nursing Home, and Traditions Hospice Care. She was well-cared for and loved until the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Keith and Alberta (Scott) Eversole, her sister, Kay (Eversole) Gamon, her son, John Robert, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her husband, Charles E. Hippler; and her children: Deborah Rohde of Decatur, IL, Kathy (Mark) Waller of Bryan, TX, Julie Hippler of Billings, MT, Michelle Hippler of the world at large, and David (Dr. Deanne Funkhouser) Hippler of Madison, WI; and Rotary Club exchange student daughter, Maria Cecilia (Dorival) Dagir. Also surviving are her nieces: Ann (Gamon) Wolff and Kim Hippler; and nephews: Dan Gamon and Matt Hippler; along with all her Eversole and Scott cousins. Surviving grandchildren are: Mark (Shelly) Tolly, Rose Marie (Austin) Reyna, Aaron (Kayla) Waller, Ariana (Clemente) Crispin, Haley Sielinski and Ella Grace Rohde. Surviving great-grandchildren are: Cecelia, Remington and Gage Reyna, Cecily Tolly, Luke and Nora Weeks and Emilia Waller.

A visitation will be held at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. The rosary will be prayed from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. at St. Philomena Catholic Church followed by the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. A memorial reception for friends and family will follow at Tatman Village. She will be buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo, IL on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you donate to the organizations Mary Jane cared about most: St. Philomena Catholic Church and Faith in Action in Monticello and Mary Queen of Peace in Billings, MT.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.