MENDOTA - Mary L. Dankenbring, 85, of Mendota, passed away Feb. 22, 2018 at Heritage Health, Mendota.

A memorial service was held at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Sandy Smith officiating. Burial will be at Wisner Cemetery at a later date. Visitation was from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the funeral home.

Mary was born Oct. 13, 1932 in Troy Grove to Joseph and Marion (Becker) McNally. She married Leroy Walter Dankenbring on May 14, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mendota. He preceded her in death in 1982.

Survivors include one daughter, Connie (Bruce) Willis of Princeton; two sons, Joseph (Martha) Dankenbring of Mendota and Ronald (Kim) Dankenbring of Streator; one brother, Joseph McNally of LaSalle; one sister, Doris Dissinger of Granville; six grandchildren, Angela (LJ Chamberlain) Dankenbring of Ladd, Monica (Todd) Zimmerlein of Mendota, Kristin (Joshua Decker) Dankenbring of LaSalle, Kenneth (Melinda Dinges) Dankenbring of LaMoille, Marshall Willis of Utica and Emily Willis of Bradley; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Lee; one grandson, James Dankenbring; and three brothers, Donald, William and Robert.

Mary was a devoted farmer’s wife and mother to four children. She was famous for throwing together a large meal for extra farm hands at the spur of the moment. She will always be remembered for her amazing cooking. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be directed to Illinois Valley Hospice.