Ira Mae Elbert

Ira Mae Elbert, 84, of Peoria, IL, previously of Germantown Hills, IL and Metamora, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria.
Ira Mae Johnson was born on March 31, 1941, in Drayton Plains, Michigan to Charles D. Johnson and Ruby Blackburn Johnson, the second of four children. She grew up in East Peoria and Spring Bay and was a graduate of Metamora High School where she met Robert Joseph Elbert in choir. They have been together ever since. Ira Mae and Bob were married on May 14, 1960, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Metamora, and recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.
Surviving are her husband, Bob; and her children, Daniel J. (Beatrice) Elbert of East Peoria, Michelle A. (John) Renick of Topeka, and Janine M. (Gregory) Fairchild of Peoria. Also surviving are grandchildren, Brooke (Brett) Ramsey of St. Louis, MO, Douglas (Alexandra) Elbert of Park City, UT, William (Chaya Bogorad) Harris of Portland, OR, Claire (Craig) Scheipers of Salem, MA, Hope (Jeremiah) Hughes of Bloomington, IL, and Alex (Jade) Fairchild of Syracuse, NY; and great-grandchildren, Clarke, Bo, Rex, Eloise, Nolan, and Sloane with a seventh great-grandchild due in August. Ira Mae also leaves her sisters, Peggy York of Modesto, CA, and Sue Burrows of Stuart, FL, and many nieces and nephews. Ira Mae was preceded in death by her parents Charles D. Johnson, and Ruby Blackburn Johnson Moreland Jordan, and her brother, Charles R. (Rick) Johnson.
Ira Mae had a talent for designing and decorating beautiful spaces. She had a true sense of style and a way for making everything lovely. She had great pride in being an extraordinary homemaker and mother. She also had strong organizational, bookkeeping and administrative skills, which she put to use helping to run the office of Associated Mechanical, Inc., a mechanical contracting firm that Bob helped to develop and operate. Ira Mae loved to travel with Bob, especially their winters in Florida. She was proud of her Catholic faith and enjoyed singing in the St. Mary's choir with Bob. She most especially found great joy in her marriage to Bob and the family, homes and life that they made together.
The family wishes to recognize and thank the staff at Lutheran Hillside Village for the love and excellent care that was given to Ira Mae the past five years. They are also grateful for the additional care provided by Vitas Healthcare.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Funeral and Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Metamora with Father David Kipfer officiating. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 1:30 pm on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel with visitation to follow from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm and visitation also to be held one hour prior to mass time on Friday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Metamora. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association Central Illinois Chapter, 614 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614 or to St. Mary's School, 400 West Chatham Street, Metamora, IL 61548. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
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