Mary Jean Chrisman

Mary Jean Chrisman

Mary Jean Chrisman, 87 of Kirksville passed away Wednesday (April 11, 2012) at her home.

The daughter of Thomas and Rose Evelyn (Watkins) Steadward, Mary was born June 6, 1933 in Holyoke, MA. On September 21, 1956 in Holyoke, MA she was united in marriage to Lorn “Bill” Ralph Chrisman who preceded her in death on April 9, 1998.

Also preceding her in death were her father and three brothers, Ray, Duncan and Jack Steadward.

Mary is survived by her mother, Rose Steadward of Novinger, MO; one son, Lorn Brian Chrisman and wife, Michelle of Kirksville; two daughters, Linda Grgurich and husband, Larry of Kirksville and Lori Cooley and husband, Charles of Kingsport, TN; one brother, Bob Steadward and wife, Linda of Novinger, MO; twelve grandchildren, David, Jade, Brooke, Danille, Michael, Mitchell and Drew Chrisman, Patrick and Heather Cooley and Nick, Natalie Grgurich McBride and Neal Grgurich and seven great-grandchildren, Audrey Grgurich, Serenity, Noah, Victoria, Isabella, Astoria, and Alexandria McBride; nieces, nephews and many friends. Mary & Bill also helped raise Ilene and Janet Reckenberg.

Mary Jean was reared in Holyoke, MA where she received her education, graduating from the Holyoke High School. She attended Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University) and received her BSE and MA degrees. She resided in Connecticut for three years and California for ten years, moving to Novinger, MO in 1971. After her graduation from college, she taught school at Schuyler County for twenty years retiring in 1999.

Mary loved to quilt, was an avid reader and she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (April 18, 2012) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Mark Hager officiating. Burial will be in the Novinger Cemetery in Novinger, MO.

Pallbearers will be Staff Sgt. Nick Grgurich, Neal Grgurich, David Chrisman, Michael Chrisman, Larry Grgurich and Patrick Cooley.

Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer Association or Hospice of Northeast Missouri.