Mary Ruth Thorell

1924 - 2024

Mary Ruth Thorell, 100, of Carthage, Illinois, passed away early on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at Hickory Grove in Carthage.

Mary Ruth was born April 24, 1924, in rural Ferris, Illinois. She was the daughter of Jesse and Florence (Riel) Wisehart. Mary Ruth was the youngest of eight children.

She completed the three-year high school in Ferris before attending and graduating from Carthage High School in 1941.

On August 9,1947, Mary Ruth was united in marriage with Eugene Thorell at Ferris Christian Church.

Mary Ruth held various jobs throughout her life. She spent time as a salesclerk at Owsley's Clothing Store (Carthage), a seamstress at Blue Bell Overall Factory (Abingdon), and a bookkeeper at Memorial Hospital (Carthage) as well as at Farmers State Bank of Ferris. She had a passion for helping others in all her endeavors. She and her husband owned and operated McCall Elevator, and after selling it, she assisted him on their farm. Mary Ruth had a green thumb and loved spending hours on end in her flower gardens. She worked at Peters Greenhouse for 26 years. Mary Ruth was a lifelong member of Ferris Christian Church where she shared her love for Jesus by teaching four- and five-year-olds and singing in the choir. Additionally, she sang in a trio, which was often featured on a Christian news channel out of Quincy, Illinois. She and Gene loved hosting church parties in their home and at Christmastime, decorating the outside with many lights around the trees. Mary Ruth was also a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Phillip Hartzell Post 74.

Mary Ruth especially cherished all her years with Gene and their family. In recent years, she made it a priority to revisit her favorite activities with her loved ones just one more time.

Branson, Missouri, was a special family vacation spot and was at the top of her bucket list to visit again. She celebrated her 100th birthday there with family and friends. This fall, she enjoyed one last trip in the combine, reminiscing about the many years and combine rides she had spent in those fields. Her most treasured relationships were with Marilyn and Jessica who were always right alongside her on each of these adventures to help make them come true.

Mary Ruth is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Mark) Fox of Carthage, and her granddaughter Jessica (Aaron) Carroll of Carthage.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Eugene Thorell; and her siblings: Louise Flint, Glenwood Wisehart, Riel Wisehart, George Wisehart, Franklin Wisehart, Frances Foster, and Ermalee Wisehart.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Ferris Christian Church in Ferris, with burial to follow at Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage.

Visitation will be on Friday, Dec. 13 at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage, with family meeting friends from 4-7 p.m.

Memorials may be made out to Ferris Christian Church, or Central Christian College in Moberly, Missouri.

Printy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.