Mary Mann

Mary Therese Huff Burge Mann, age 94, of Centralia, passed away at SLU hospital on November 23, 2025, 17 days after a fall at home.

Mary was born on February 9, 1931, to Helen and Al Huff. The sixth of ten children, she grew up on the family farm just across the Southern Railroad tracks in Centralia, surrounded by peach and apple trees. She spent all 94 years of her life in Centralia and loved sharing memories of the town's history - especially childhood stories of the public swimming pool and the Fourth of July carnival.

Mary graduated from Centralia Township High School and lived through both the Great Depression and World War II. Her family raised chickens, pigs, and cows, and canned fruits and vegetables to get through lean times. She attended St. Mary's School, sang in the choir, and cherished the tradition of weekly Mass. Mary carried her childhood memories of Christmas and family gatherings with deep fondness throughout her life.

Mary married James L. Burge, and together they raised seven children. Their marriage spanned nearly 29 years before Jim's sudden passing in 1980. She is survived by their children:

Donna Burge, Cathy Burge, Karen nee Burge Chianakas (Gary), Gina nee Burge Fischer (Larry), Mary (Micky) Burge (Paul Beckley), David Burge, and James J. Burge (Trina).

She is also survived by her brothers Ray Huff (Jane) and Phillip Huff (Nancy), and by many nieces and nephews.

In 1982, Mary married Jack Mann. For the 39 years they shared, Mary and Jack enjoyed traveling, gardening, and tending to their flowers together. Jack preceded her in death in 2021.

To most who knew her, she was Mimi - a name that came with the birth of her grandchildren and never left her side. She is survived by 15 grandchildren: Keri (Hunt) Wall, Jennifer Hunt, Meghan Hunt, Michelle (Chianakas) Larkin, Daniel Chianakas, Mary (Chianakas) Stremlow, Alison Thom, Philip Maslow, James Maslow, Nicholas Burge, Kaela (Burge-Beckley) McDaniel, Derek Burge-Beckley, Tanner Burge-Beckley, Danielle (Burge) Risinger, Jacob Burge, and Adam Shores. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, as well as many friends and neighbors who loved her like family. Her niece Stephanie Obermeier loved her dearly. Mary was able to remain in the home she treasured thanks to devoted family members and extraordinary caregivers, for whom her family is deeply grateful.

Her family lovingly called her "the queen" - not because she ruled, but because she lived with unwavering strength, poise, and grace. She was a blessing to know. If she could speak to us today, she would remind us: "Not my monkey; not my circus", to sing loudly at Mass, and that the greatest gift you can ever give someone is your time.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Centralia. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass at the Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary's Parish, where Mary was a lifelong member and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Mary's Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.