Obituaries

Mary F. Aten

July 10th, 1941 – May 10th, 2022

Mary F. Aten passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on May 10, 2022. She was born in Uniontown, PA on July 10, 1941, the eldest daughter of Santo “Sam” and Mabel (Cole) Rosano. Mary was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 1 sister.

In 1962, Mary married Lowell Aten and they celebrated 60 years in March of this year. She was a fantastic wife and mother who loved helping people. Mary was joined at the hip emotionally with her husband and daughter.

Surviving are Lowell Aten and Lynn Aten, both of Macomb, IL and 5 sisters; Santa (and Bill) Carbaugh of Shippensburg, PA, Perri Prigge of Manitowac, WI, Stella Thot of Las Vegas, NV, Sami Stamm of Chalk Hill, PA and Patti Lane of Henderson, NV.

Mary graduated from Uniontown High School and entered active duty with the United States Air Force, where she served as Airman First Class through 1962. While serving, she was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base and Amarillo Air Force Base, both in Texas, and Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois.

For the Department of Defense, Mary was an Administrative Assistant and Secretary at Chanute Technical Training Center. She then moved to Clark Air Base in the Philippines where she served as Secretary to several Chaplains. Returning to the United States and living in Northern Virginia, Mary worked as Secretary for the Mobility Engineering Command at Fort Belvior. After this, she worked at the Army Systems Command at Fairfax Co., VA. Her next move was to the Pentagon as Executive Secretary to the Department of the Army Intelligence Agency. After this, she moved to Nebraska and worked for the Air Force Director for Missile Maintenance for the Strategic Air Command, United States Air Force.

When Mary returned to Illinois, she went back to school and completed her Masters Degree in Language Arts. She taught language arts for 20 years in the Astoria Community School District. She also served as Junior High Play Director and coached the Speech Competition teams. She retired in 2004.

Mary was a voracious reader. She was an excellent quilter and homemaker. Well respected and well liked, her home always had an open door policy where everyone was welcome and she enjoyed hosting gatherings. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Macomb where she chaired and co-chaired many committees. Mary was also a conservative and patriot.

Services will be held on Friday, May 13th at 2:00 pm at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL. Casual attire is requested. Reverend Melle Momo will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 12th from 5-7 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Rushville City Cemetery, Rushville, Illinois with military rites provided by the Astoria American Legion Post #25. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (Pancan.org).

Condolences

May 10th, 2022

Sending love from Pennsylvania. Stacey Stamm, and Summer and Reiney (maternal niece and great nieces of Mary.) My Aunt Mary sent both my children handmade blankets to them when they were born. They are beautiful and intricately detailed and priceless. Aunt Mary was always kind to me and the blankets for my girls meant so much when they were born.

May 11th, 2022

Sending love and prayers from your family in Wisconsin. Very sad news, may she rest peacefully.
Sam, Jennifer, and Olivia Dickey

May 11th, 2022

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Mary was a very special person. And the angels are rejoicing. Paul and Carol Stambaugh

May 11th, 2022

I am confident Mary is in eternal paradise. Prayers for comfort, peace and joyful memories for Lowell and Lynn until you are reunited. Robert and Susan Cameron

May 11th, 2022

Mary was a strong teacher. and supporter of
Para/Olympics

May 11th, 2022

Mrs.Aten was one of the nicest teachers I had in grade school. I’m sorry for loss!

May 11th, 2022

Lowell and Lynn, so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I'm sure the angels are rejoicing. Mary was a good neighbor and friend.

May 11th, 2022

Mary, our loving, giving, caring sister, touched our lives in a million different ways. She was a blessing to all her sisters and everyone who knew her. Our hearts are filled with wonderful memories of Mary. She held great love for God, family and country, and will always hold a very special place in our hearts. She will be greatly missed, and we will celebrate her long wonderful life. Mary was the ultimate Proverbs 31 woman.
Sending prayers for all Mary’s family.
Santa and Bill

May 11th, 2022

So sorry for your loss. Nancy Carithers (retired from Astoria Schools)

May 11th, 2022

I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Aten at Astoria Schools. She was interesting to talk to and had a great sense of humor. Prayers for comfort. Jeannie Goodman

May 11th, 2022

So very sorry to you all for your loss of Mary. She was such a lovely person.

May 11th, 2022

Carolyn Cripe

May 11th, 2022

Mary was such a special influence to all who know her. She touched so many through every aspect of life. Her love for her family, as well as all those she worked with over the years or taught in school. I will love my sister forever and miss her dearly. Sending love and prayers for comfort to Mary's family. May she now rest in peace.

May 11th, 2022

... the above by Perri Prigge (Mary's sister).

May 11th, 2022

The Atens Family has had a special place in my heart from the moment I met them. They represent so well what a family should be and how a lovely, lasting marriage can be had. They exemplified the beauty of a Christ-centered family How beautiful!!! I will miss my dear friend until we meet again in Heaven! I praise God for her Wonderful life.
Susan Scholz

May 11th, 2022

I was blessed to meet Mary,Lowell and family when I worked for the Park District. I spend many weekends with this wonderful family. Mary truly had a smile that would brighten any room and could always get everyone to smile.

May 11th, 2022

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mary. We enjoyed getting to know all of you when Bryan was participating in Special Olympics. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time. Jerry, Ruth,& Bryan Wilson

May 11th, 2022

we were sosorry to hear of mary'y death! gene & connie Lockard

May 11th, 2022

So so sorry for your loss She was a beautiful person,The Jim and Linda Derry Family

May 11th, 2022

What a beautiful lady! Mary will be missed by many. So sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories. God bless.
Steve and Nancy Barnett

May 12th, 2022

Sending love and prayers. Mary was such a joyful and loving soul. My life is richer for having known her. May God bless and comfort you and yours. Jody and James McDonald

May 13th, 2022

Lowell & Lynn, May God hold you both close to His heart during this so sad time & in the days, weeks, & months ahead. And May you take comfort in knowing she is pain free & rejoicing with her personal Savior Jesus who she walked & talked with daily - always thanking Him for His love & goodness! Mary will be missed by many for her kind & fun spirit & caring manner as well as her
willingness to tackle any project to help out.
(Reagan) Corey & I will always be thankful we got to know your family through Special Olympics where we became friends attending many activities together. Bev & Corey Clause

May 13th, 2022

Mary and Lowell have been our dear friends for over 50 years. We will miss Mary so very much. Mary was so talented. She also gave us one of her handmade quilts which we treasure. We send our love and prayers for Mary's whole family.
Richard and Rachel Holshouser
Sanford, N.C.

May 16th, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers

May 16th, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss Lowell and Lynn. You are in my prayers
Jennifer Brattain

May 21st, 2022

My sincere condolences to Lowell and family. Mary was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I have ever known. Lowell and Mary both reached out to people in need. They did for my Dad, John Moon, when he was 100+ years old. I feel blessed to have known both of them and their daughter, Lynn. I look forward to helping them in any way possible. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. David Moon

May 22nd, 2022

Our wish is that we could have known Mary for so many more years. She was amazing, we feel blessed for knowing her. Our sympathies to Lowell, my classmate, and Lynn. Rose and Bill Heger

May 22nd, 2022

I feel very blessed to have known Mary for the few years that I did. She was a very special, sweet and loving person. My sympathy and prayers go to Lowell and Lynn. Joanne Heath

December 26th, 2022

I am so sorry find out that Mary has passed. When I did not receive a Christmas card from her, I knew she was no longer in pain, and that she is with Jesus. Denise Crone Corio