Mary 'Izzy' (Nelson) Willard

Mary Isabel ‘Izzy’ Willard, age 101, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington, Illinois. She was born November 12, 1921, near Maysville, IL. She was the daughter of Cecil and Lenore Bradburn Nelson. Izzy married Loren Ed Willard, Jr. on April 23, 1941, and he preceded her in death on May 5, 1995.

Mrs. Willard, known as Izzy was a college graduate holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She taught three years in Pike County and twenty-two years in Momence, IL. Her special fields were Physical Education, Science and Math. Her early teaching was in the Maple Grove Country School for two years, a school she had attended for her first eight years. She graduated from Griggsville High School with the class of 1939. Her greatest interests were her family and their happiness. Izzy served as a past president of Griggsville PTA, Pike County Home Extension, Griggsville Alumni Association and Ladies Golf of Old Orchard Country Club of which she had been a member of for 33 years. She was also a past member of Griggsville Chatauqa, Pittsfield Women’s Club and Griggsville Eastern Star. Izzy was a member of the Pittsfield First Christian Church since 1932.

Izzy is survived by one son, Eric and wife Ginger of Bloomington, IL; daughter-in-law, Lynn Willard of Roanoke, IL; and five grandchildren, Shelly Lester, Dan Willard and wife Karen, Margo Willard, Alex Willard, and Mackenzie Murray and husband Glenn; eleven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brother, Charles Nelson of Griggsville, IL; nieces, Mary Lynn Brown and husband Carl and Patti Baker; and nephew, Stephen Nelson and wife Debbie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren Ed Willard; son, Loren Ed Willard III; parents, Cecil & Lenore Nelson; sister, Virginia Witty; brother-in-law, Donald Witty; nephew, Kenyon Witty; and sister-in-law, Marianna Nelson.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Interment will follow the service at West Cemetery in Pittsfield, IL. Memorials are suggested to be made to Pittsfield First Christian Church or West Cemetery. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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