Mary Elizabeth Conner, 94, of Hammond, passed away early Friday morning, January 23, 2026 at the Piatt County Nursing Home, Monticello, IL

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, February 7 2026 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL with Pastor Leland Legg officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Cartwright Cemetery, rural Tuscola, Il

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Mary was born on May 13, 1931 in Garrett, the daughter of LeRoy Webster and Nellie Mae Shipley Eyestone. She married Frank Dean Conner on December 11, 1948 in Atwood. He preceded her in death on November 24, 2001.

Mary is survived by her sons: Lonnie (Monica) Conner of Decatur, Larry (Valerie) Conner of Mahomet, Tony (Char) Conner of St. Joseph and Rick Conner of Tuscola, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law: Donna Eyestone of McLeansboro.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers: Carl, Vaughn, Harry, Robert, Eugene, Earl and Merle Eyestone and two great grandchildren.

She was a very active member of the Hammond United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Mary enjoyed reading and fellowship with all her family and friends.

Mary was the longtime librarian of the Hammond Library. She loved the children who came regularly and many still remember her.

A special thanks to the Piatt County Nursing Home nurses and attendants, and to Town Square Hospice, both of Monticello.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hammond United Methodist Church.