Mary Eilers

Surviving are her husband, Robert, 1 son, Allen (Julie) of Quincy, IL; a daughter, Deanne (Clint) Bennett of Wheatland, IA; 6 grandchildren: Jennifer and Michelle Dettbarn, Corynn and Chloe Bennett, Devon and Andrew Eilers: a sister, Janet (Richard) Lohman of Mesa, AZ; and a brother, Robert (Janice) Goodyear of Monticello, IA. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her son, Douglas, in 1989 and her parents. Mary Jo was born April 23, 1941, in Camanche, IA, the daughter of Lawrence and Frances (Bedell) Goodyear. Their family moved to Monticello while Mary Jo was quite young and she was educated in the Monticello schools where she earned her diploma with the Class of 1959. She married Robert Eilers on September 16, 1961, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello. In addition to helping run their farm and raise the children, Mary Jo worked as a secretary at several companies, primarily at what is now ColorBox, and was a darkroom technician at the Monticello Express. Mary Jo's family was her primary focus throughout her life. When her health allowed, she loved to play tennis and travel to Arizona to see her sister, Janet. Memorials are preferred to the Arthritis Foundation.