Mary Ellen (Slichenmyer) Semple, age 102, of West Liberty, Illinois, went to be with her Lord on April 14, 2025 Mary Ellen was born on February 6, 1923, in Richland County, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Omer and Verna Ethel (Fleming) Slichenmyer. Mary graduated from Olney High School, class of 1941. She married Chester Eugene Semple on March 31, 1951, and moved to the Bogota area where they farmed. They moved to the West Liberty area in 1973, taking over the Semple family farm from Chester’s mother. The farm has been in the family for over 140 years.

Mary was a member of the Bogota Baptist Church. She loved to quilt and made each of her children and grandchildren a handmade quilt. She also made quilts for many charitable auctions and donated quilts to the Baptist Children’s Home in Carmi.

Mary is survived by son Melvin Walker, Scottsville, Kentucky; daughter Verna Mae Semple, Newton, Illinois; sons Charles (Lynn) Semple of Teutopolis, Illinois; George (Lora) of West Liberty, Illinois; Paul (Janice) of Effingham, Illinois; Dale (Janice) of Effingham, Illinois; Glen (Karen) of Champaign, Illinois; sister-in-law Kathy Slichenmyer of Olney, Illinois, 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Wanda Egleston, brother-in-law Jim Egleston, brothers Joe Slichenmyer, Stanley Slichenmyer, sister-in-law Wilma Slichenmyer, great-grandsons Keith Walker, Parker Finley, great-granddaughter Lauren Finley, daughter-in-law Patti Walker, infant great-granddaughter Vera Semple, and granddaughter Sarah Semple.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM – Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Olney, Illinois, with Garry Hostettler and Rick Catt officiating.  The burial will be in the Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney, Illinois.  A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the funeral home.

Meyer Funeral Home, Olney, IL