Mary Neff, 85 of Eastside Health Care Center and formerly of Baylis, passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.  Mary was born September 23, 1924 in Vayland, S.D., a daughter to Charles and Ella Borkhious Kaltschner.  She married Paul Junior Neff on March 8, 1947 in Winchester, IL and he preceded her in death on February 21, 2000.

In Mary’s earlier years, she worked for the glove factory in Winchester, IL, the hat factory in Pittsfield and was a farm wife. Mary graduated from Bluffs High School in 1942.  She enjoyed gardening, sewing, was a Chicago Bulls fan and a Pittsfield Saukee fan.  Mary greatly enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was the loving mother of eight children: Phillip “Butch” (Kay) Neff of Hannibal, MO; Larry Neff of Jacksonville; Steve (Rita) Neff of Pittsfield; Kenny (Angie) Neff of New Salem; Rose Sanderson of Pittsfield; Norma Neff of Baylis; Connie (John) Howard of Excelsior Springs, MO; and Karen (Mike) Davidsmeyer of Centennial, CO.

Nine grandchildren survive, Sara (Greg) Wyatt of New Canton; Jimmy (Tiffany) Sanderson of Pittsfield; Selina (Chris) Brawner of Bethalto, IL; Josh Neff of New Canton; Stephanie and Sonny Howard of Excelsior Springs, MO; Adam Neff of Pittsfield; Doug Davidsmeyer of San Diego, CA; and Jared Davidsmeyer of Centennial, CO. Great grandchildren surviving are Aislyn and Avery Wyatt and Jace and Cal Brawner.

One sister, Joan Lally of Rotonda, FL and one brother, Gary (Wendy) Kaltschee of Golden, IL survive along with brother-in-law Ray Neff, sister-in-laws, Dorothy (Greg) Pressey, Carolyn Lawber, Marilyn Sanders, Sue (Phil) Craven and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Rev. John Ruzich officiating.  Interment will be in the Blue River Cemetery in Detroit, IL.  A lunch will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church for family and friends after interment. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday evening, March 9, 2010 at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield.

Memorials may be made to the Blue River Cemetery or Pike County Health Department Home Health Aids 

Condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements