Mary A. Jones, 72, of Pittsfield, Illinois, died on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Carthage, Illinois.
She was born on November 8, 1953, in Aledo, Illinois, the daughter of John Wendell and Maricella Mae (Rohr) Freed. Mary was raised and educated in Monmouth and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1971. Following high school, Mary enlisted in the United States Navy, where she proudly served for six years as a corpsman. After completing her military service, she went on to attend Western Illinois University.
Mary married Michael D. Jones in Colorado Springs, Colorado; he preceded her in death.
In high school, Mary worked at the YMCA and at the Italian Village restaurant. Later in life, she built a long and dedicated career in laboratory work, serving as a lab technician in Hannibal, Missouri, for 20 years. She later continued her work in Pittsfield, Illinois, and served as the lab manager there. Most recently, she worked in Louisiana, Missouri, where she remained until her retirement.
Mary enjoyed many kinds of crafts, including sewing, quilting, crocheting, and embroidery. She loved preparing delicious meals for her family, and her family was truly the center of her world; she was very into her family’s genealogy. Mary also found great joy in gardening and was an avid reader. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching films and shows featuring Chuck Norris and John Wayne. Mary held a strong and enduring faith and was a devoted member of Union Church in LaHarpe, Illinois.
Surviving Mary is her daughter, Mandy Dawn Jones of Pittsfield, Illinois; her granddaughter, Alexandra Stotler of Carthage, Illinois; her mother, Mariella Freed of LaHarpe, Illinois; one brother, John Richard (Susie) Freed of Mankato, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Marie Freed of Kansas City, Missouri; brother-in-law, Steve Brown of Macomb, Illinois; former sister-in-law, Kay Hoaglin of Faribault, Minnesota, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
She was preceded in death by her father; her brother, James (Jim) W. Freed; and one sister, Lori Brown.
Funeral Services with Military Honors will be at 3 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, Illinois. Visitation will be prior to the service from 2-3 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service. Interment will be in Alexis Cemetery, Alexis, Illinois. Memorials can be made to the Mary Jones Memorial Fund and can be sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, Illinois, is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
