Mary Ruth Sides

Mary R. Sides, 79, of Ashkum passed away at Riverside Hospital on Sunday, August 17, 2025 after a sudden illness. Her beautiful life began when she was born to Myron and Alice Hull on July 1, 1946 in Estherville, Iowa. As the middle child of the large Hull family, she was purposeful about loving and uniting her family. In 1966, she met and fell in love with Orville R. "Dick" Sides from Nebraska. They married on August 27, 1966, and together they raised their family and thrived in her beloved town of Ashkum, IL.

Mary is survived by her two daughters, Mary A. "Missy" (Dan) Peters of Bourbonnais, IL and Amy J. Sides of Ashkum, IL; two grandsons, Mark (Sarah Parker) Peters and Logan (Kate) Peters both of New Lenox, IL; two great-granddaughters Sophie and Brooklynn; five siblings, Donna Schmitz of Ashkum, IL, Milton (Judy) Hull of Clifton, IL, Patricia (Randy) Storm of Crescent City, IL, Diane (Roger) Kimmel of Danforth, IL, Barb (Tom) Peters of Crescent City; and sisters-in-law Ruth Hull of Ashkum, IL, Sherry Hull of Clifton, IL, and Elaine Pankonin of Aurora, CO; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by an infant son, Jeffrey Allen, her husband, her parents, and five siblings, Robert, Russell, Myron, and Donald Hull and Lori Nichols.

Mary had an extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special and loved. Her home was always open, and filled with an abundance of food and the delicious aroma of her home cooked meals. She was a generous spirit who had the gift of hospitality and would work tirelessly to love and serve others. She was a life long member of the Ashkum United Methodist Church where she acted as the church treasurer. Her faith was important to her, and she was very community minded. She served on the Ashkum Village Board for many years. In her younger years, she enjoyed being a part of the Ashkum Junior Women's Club, and more recently, she spearheaded and helped serve community meals through AUMC's Simple Blessings. She always made her family a priority, and she was eagerly anticipating the birth of two more great-grandchildren. Her greatest achievement was being a loving wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend.

Per her request, cremation rites have been accorded by the Knapp Funeral Home of Clifton, IL. A brief visitation will be held at Gilman United Methodist Church from 3:00-5:00 pm with funeral services immediately following at 5:30 pm on Friday, August 22, 2025. Private committal services for immediate family will be at Ashkum Cemetery, Ashkum, IL. Rev. Vickie Killus and Rev. Dan Doty will be officiating. Live streaming of the service can be viewed live and will be archived at Gilman United Methodist Church's Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to: Central High School (Theatre Department) or Ashkum United Methodist Church (Missions).

Please share a memory of Mary at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.