Mary J. Wille

Mary J. Wille, 78, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada following an illness of several months. She was born Dec. 20, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Arthur Adam Kneller and Iona Lena Isley Kneller. She married Vernon Wille on May 20, 1954, in Lawson, Mo., and he preceded her in death in April 1991.

Mary grew up in Lawson, Mo., and graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1948. She received her master's degree in special education from Central Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg, Mo., and her undergraduate degree in elementary education from CMSU. She worked as Special Education teacher at Ruskin High School in Hickman Mills for nine years. In 1972, she and Vernon moved to Liberal, Mo. She began working at the Nevada State Hospital as a habilitation supervisor until her retirement. Following retirement, she taught for two years at Walker High School, Walker, Mo. Mary was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Survivors include one son, William A. Wille, Salina, Kan.; one daughter, Mary Lynn Wille, of the home in Nevada; two granddaughters, Hanna Gregory and Emily Gregory, both of Houstonia, Mo., several nieces and nephews, and beloved dog "Rosie." She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter, Martha Wille Gregory in 2004.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 16, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Steve Russ officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends 5-7 p.m., on Sunday evening, Feb. 15, at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in Mary's memory to the Vernon County EMS or Angel Flight in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com