Mary M. Coutant's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Mary M. Coutant, age 94 of Charleston, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2014 while at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Memorial Services honoring and celebrating her life will be held at the funeral chapel at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, immediately following the visitation, with Pastor Kevin Ashby officiating. A private inurnment will be held in Mound Cemetery in Charleston at a later date. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the American Cancer Society or to Genesis Animal Rescue. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Mary was born on October 14, 1919 in Charleston, IL, a daughter of the late William and Emma (Turman) Merritt. She was married to Larry McElwee and then to Thurmond Adams, both whom preceded her in death. She then married Albert Coutant on January 13, 1995. She is survived by her loving husband, Albert of Charleston; her stepchildren, Alan Coutant and wife April of Dunlap, Illinois, Larry Coutant and wife Nancy of Charleston, and Wendell Adams and wife Carol of Charleston; 6 step-grandchildren, Lauren Garrison and husband Eric of Knoxville, TN, Ashlee Coutant and husband Aaron of Brooklyn, NY, Abby Coutant and husband Steve of Washington, DC, Zach Adams of Huntington Beach, CA, Ann (Adams) Rollinson and husband Mark of Fair Oaks, CA, and Taylor Adams of Charleston; 4 step-great-grandchildren; special friends, Paula (Swickard) Leming and her daughter Sarah Leming, who thought of her as Aunt Mary, of Albuquerque, NM; and her special feline friend and companion, Angel. Mary was also preceded in death by Fern, a half sister from her mother's first marriage. Mary was employed at the Coles County Farm Bureau office for 14 years before accepting a position at Eastern Illinois University in the late 1950's. During her 30 year tenure at E.I.U. she served as secretary to the Vice-President and catalog editor as well as serving on numerous boards and committees. Mary formally retired in 1987 but remained actively involved through her EIU Foundation and EIU Annuitants Association memberships. When Eastern celebrated is 100 year anniversary, Mary was among the 100 people who were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the University, and in 2009, she was formally recognized and honored as the EIU Foundation's Annuitant Ambassador of the Year. Mary also bred, showed and sold Manx cats for several years as well as being actively involved as a member of the Coles County Historical Society, Tarble Arts Center, Coles County Arts Council and the Kaskaskia Archeological Society.Click to view Mary's memorial video.
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