Mary Jean Freese, age 80, of Granite City, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Mary was born on August 8, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, a daughter of the late Joseph and Evelyn (Herscher) Robinson.
Mary will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and a dear friend. She was a faithful member of Temple Baptist Church in Madison, IL. Mary served as a Sunday school teacher, choir director, and she held many other roles at the church in her fifty years of membership. She retired from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical Company as an international account specialist after many years of dedicated service. Mary enjoyed watching games shows, college football games and St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. She was also an amazing cook and she loved preparing meals for her family, and especially on the holidays. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Mary loved life, she loved to laugh, but most of all she loved her family and spoiling her grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her step-mother, Eileen Robinson; sister, Darline King; and by her brother-in-law, Donald King Sr.
She is survived by her loving sons, Steve Freese of Pontoon Beach, IL and Vince (Serena) Freese of Granite City, IL; proud Nana to Rylee Freese, Mitchell Freese, Courtney Freese, Landon Freese and Justice Futrell; great-grandson, “twinkle of her eye, her baby, Zorian”; dear nephew, Donald (Karrie) King Jr.; extended family and many friends.
In celebration of her life, a visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Irwin Chapel, Granite City, IL. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Rick Chambers officiating. Interment will be held at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates, Glen Carbon , IL on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. The funeral procession will leave Irwin Chapel at 12:45 p.m. on Monday.
Memorial donations may be given to Temple Baptist Church, 714 McCambridge Avenue, Madison, IL 62060. Donations will be accepted at the funeral chapel.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.irwinchapel.com.
