Sauk Valley

Mary Ann Abell

STERLING – Mary Ann Abell, 79, of Sterling, died Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at Sterling Pavilion.

Mary was born June 5, 1933, in Sterling, the daughter of Noel and Margaret (Rogers) Oberg. She graduated from Newman Central Catholic High School in 1951. She married Paul Abell on July 2, 1955, in Sterling. He preceded her in death on June 19, 2012. Mary was a homemaker. She previously was employed by Scott’s Dime Store, Larson Bros. Manufacturing, and Moore Laundry. She was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls.

Survivors include two daughters, Diane (Rosendo) Garza of Prophetstown and Sally (Oscar) Canas of Rock Falls; four sons, Paul Abell Jr. of St. Cloud, Minn., Mark Abell of Dixon, Peter Abell of Rock Falls, and Jeff (Stacey) Abell of Burlington, Iowa; two sisters, Marge Gilmore and Beverly (Elmer) Albus; five grandchildren, Kerrey Anderson of Rockford, Nicholas Garza and Nathan Garza, both of Prophetstown, and Kristin Casillas and Alex Casillas, both of Rock Falls; one stepgranddaughter, Kristin Canas; two step-great-grandchildren, Chloe and Corbin Scribner; her sisters-in-law, Margaret Delaney of Arvada, Colo., Mary Oberg of Florida, and Marlene Abell of Oklahoma City; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three brothers, Dean Oberg, Douglas Oberg, and Robert Oberg, brothers-in-law, Otto and Mike Abell, Paul Gilmore, and Carl Delaney; sisters-in-law, Leona Abell and Anita Oberg; nephew, Michael Gilmore; and a great-great-nephew, Landon.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A gathering of family and friends will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday and the Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls, with Monsignor Thomas Dzielak, celebrant, officiating. A luncheon will follow at St. Andrew Grade School in Rock Falls. Inurnment will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Calvary Cemetery in Sterling. McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory in Rock Falls is handling arrangements,

A memorial has been established.

Visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.