By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
4 Comments
  • Visitation

    Monday, August 19, 2019

    6 to 8 p.m.

    Zion United Methodist Church

    West Salem, IL

     

  • Service

    Tuesday, August 20, 2019

    10 a.m.

    Zion United Methodist Church

    West Salem, IL

    Burial to follow in Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery

  • Full Obituary

    Mary Alice Lynch 88, of West Salem, IL passed from this life to the next on August 14, 2019 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney, IL.

    She was born January 20, 1931 in West Salem, IL, the daughter of Blanche (Metcalf) and Claude Wiseman. Blanche passed when Mary was almost 5 years old and later, Claude married Laura Barnhart who became a second mother to Mary.

    Mary married Charles Junior Lynch on April 1, 1951 at the Evangelical Church in West Salem and he preceded her in death on August 2, 2015.

    Mary was a stay-at-home mom, but she was never a lady of leisure. She was an expert seamstress, sewing all her own clothes and many of the kids’ clothes. In later years, Mary became well known for her quilting and embroidery. She always put out a big garden and canned and preserved all of its bounty. Mary enjoyed preparing big meals for her family and baking. She was famous for her angel food birthday cakes. She was also active in the Zion United Methodist Church for many years, singing in the choir and playing the organ.

    She is survived by two daughters: Donna (Hunt) Bonan of Mt. Vernon, IL and DeLaine (David) Fletcher of Colleyville, TX; one son, Darrell (Elizabeth) Lynch of West Salem; a daughter-in-law, Shelby Lynch of West Salem; ten grandchildren: Kelli (Troy) Lively of Bethalto, IL, Matthew (Cassie) Lynch of West Salem; Lindsay (John) Ruhlin of Wood River, IL, Whitney (Ben) Cole of Kansas City, MO, Jamilyn (Kent) Marks of West Salem, Fleta (Britt) Shepherd of Albion, IL, Derek (Jonna) Lynch of Omaha, GA, Chad Lynch of Benica, CA, Sean Fletcher of Denton, TX, and Calum (Madeline) Fletcher of Denton, TX; and 23 great-grandchildren and one soon to arrive. She is also survived by two sisters: Betty (Richard) Workman of Indiana and Clara King of Albion and a special niece, Rhonda Leek of West Salem.

    Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, son David Lynch, brother Harold Wiseman, and granddaughter Rachel Lynch.

    Visitation will be Monday, August 19, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Zion United Methodist Church in West Salem. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the church with burial to follow in the Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery in West Salem.

    Memorials may be made to the Zion United Methodist Church to benefit funeral dinners. Envelopes will be available at the service.

    Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com.

    Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

4 Condolences
 
  1. Jane King Jones / August 16, 2019 at 8:11 pm

    I spent many Sunday afternoons at Aunt Mary and Uncle Charles’s house playing with cousin DeLaine. There are so many fond memories of those times. Two memories that were not so fond was falling in the sewer during one of Uncle Charles’s pig sales and the time I spilled the fruit salad all over the kitchen floor. I was afraid she would yell at me, but she didn’t,. I could tell she was upset with me. In later years Aunt Mary helped me tie a quilt and quilted two for me in exchange for sewing one together for her. A few years ago she gave that quilt to me. So special!! I am so thankful for the visit we had together just before she went to the hospital. Mom is going to miss her. I Love you Aunt Mary and family.

  2. Kris Wright / August 17, 2019 at 11:37 pm

    My mother was Mary Alice’s 1st cousin! My mom was Valeta Metcalf Wright. Her father was Thomas Metcalf. I remember as a little girl visiting Illinois we would see the Lynch family and the King family! I remember Donna & DeLaine and Jane & Janet! We have a lot of family photos. I was just visiting Albion Illinois last week… I wish so much I could have visited with everyone!
    I know my mom was happy up in heaven to meet her sweet cousin Mary!
    Sending love and prayers to the family, from a long lost cousin in California! XOXO 😘Kris (aka Mary Kris)

  3. Mary Katherine Schnitz / August 18, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    Donna, I am sorry to hear about your mother. She led our 4H group. She improved my sewing skills. I hope you are well. Sending prayers, Mary Katherine

  4. Jayden,Janice & Stan Brown / August 23, 2019 at 6:51 am

    Our Thoughts & Prayers are with the family!

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