Friday, March 29, 2024

Mary Ellen Hiller Osterhout – Obituary

Mary-Hiller-Osterhout-1457367037-2Mary Ellen Hiller Osterhout, age 66 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, March 5, 2016, at 10:18 AM at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky.

Mary was born September 6, 1949 in Carbondale, Illinois. She was the third of five children born to Hugh and Betty (Crawshaw) Hiller.

On June 5, 1993, Mary was united in marriage to Burle David Osterhout at the Jonesboro City Park. He survives.

Other survivors include: her children – Mike (Sabrina) Ethridge of Vienna, Tommy Ethridge and his fiancé Elizabeth Richard of Vienna, and Sherri (Jason) Buchanan of Goreville; 4 grandchildren – Colton and Jackson Ethridge, Addison Buchanan, and Benjamin Ethridge. Mary was also anticipating the birth of a granddaughter, Lainey Ellen Ethridge, in August 2016. Additionally, Mary is survived by: 2 sisters – Jeannie Cook of Goreville and Carol (Wendell) Loban of Coldspring, Texas; 2 brothers – Howard (Theresa) Hiller of Fair Play, South Carolina and Jon Hiller of Anna; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh & Betty Hiller.

Mary was a 1967 graduate of Goreville High School. She was employed for 25 years, prior to her retirement in October 2014, as a Security Therapy Aide at Choate Mental Health Center in Anna.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She cherished time spent with her family and particularly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Mary is remembered for the concern, care and love which she showed to everyone around her. She loved deeply and was deeply loved by all. Mary looked forward with great anticipation to the annual Crawshaw Family Reunion.

Mary’s interests were many and varied. She had previously coached a girl’s softball team for a number of years. She loved gardening, bird watching, canning produce from her garden, cooking for her family and friends, sewing and making handcrafted items, and photography.

Mary was of the Christian faith. She had been a member of the gospel singing group, The Messengers.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning, March 10, 2016, at 10:30 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Rev. Brian Murley will officiate. Burial will be in the Cana Cemetery north of Goreville.

Visitation will be conducted Wednesday evening, March 9, 2016, from 5 PM – 9 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Memorials may be made to the Crawshaw Family Reunion, c/o Sabrina Ethridge, 450 Old Route 146 Loop, Vienna, IL 62995.