Mary Kathryn Childress, 73, of Champaign, IL, formerly of Herrin, passed away at 2:31 A.M., Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL.
Mary had been a registered nurse for 30 plus years and retired in October of 2016.  She worked in several U.S. cities across the Midwest and Southwest, including Memphis, TN.  She also worked at the Army Hospital in Nuremberg, Germany as a nurse.  Mary graduated from St. Mary's College in South Bend, IN in 1972, and completed her nursing degree at Barnes College of Nursing in St. Louis, MO.  Mary was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin, IL.  After retirement, Mary volunteered for Meals On Wheels, and also volunteered in the SIH Herrin Hospital Gift Shop.
She was born October 4, 1950 in Du Quoin, IL, the daughter of Dr.Richard Thomas and Muriel Virginia (Dunn) Matlavish.
She married Ronald Childress on April 23, 1977 in Belleville, IL.  He preceded her in death on May 7, 2001.
She is survived by two sisters - Virginia Ford and husband John of Longmont, CO, and Martha Willi of Champaign, IL, and brother-in-law - Tom Kelley of Du Quoin, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister - Christine Kelley.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin with Fr. Thomas Flach officiating.
Friends may call from 9 A.M. until 10:45 A.M., Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Du Quoin, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 Illinois Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615.