Marie Darlene DeBates

Marie Darlene (Nielsen) DeBates, 79, of McNabb passed away in her home on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. Marie was born to Goldwin and Emma Nielsen August 14, 1933 in Mineral, Illinois. She married James R. DeBates on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955 and celebrated 40 years of marriage before James passed away on March 30, 1996. Marie graduated as valedictorian and D.A.R. award winner from Mineral High School, Mineral, Illinois. In 1955 she received a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois. While at Western she was a member of Pi Omega Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and was named to Who's Who among University students during 1954-1955. In December of 1983 she received a Master of Science degree in Business Education from Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, and was also selected as the outstanding Graduate Student in Business Education by the College of Business Awards Committee. Marie loved being a teacher for 35 1/2 years and spent the majority of those years at Henry-Senachwine High School, Henry, Illinois. She taught business, speech and English classes and organized a charter chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, serving as faculty advisor. In 1985 she was a nominee for the "Outstanding Working Woman" award sponsored by the Bureau Valley Business and Professional Women's Club, Princeton, Illinois. Following retirement in 2000, she continued to substitute teach in both the Henry and Putnam County School Districts. Serving the community was an important part of Marie's life. She was an active member of the McNabb United Methodist Church, a past president of the Putnam County Library board, past member of the Board of Directors for the Starved Rock Library System, a charter member of the Putnam County Ambulance Association and served as an EMT for 2 1/2 years. In addition, she was a member of Eastern Star, a Den Mother, Girl Scout and 4-H Leader; a member of the Marshall-Putnam Fair Queen Pageant committee, the Putnam County Bicentennial Committee, the Advisory Board for the Henry Chamber of Commerce, the Magnolia Township Board, and a board member of the McNabb Phone Company. She is survived by her son Jaye of Granville,IL, her daughter Janet (Gary) Kemp of Montgomery, IL grandsons Jonathan (Katie) DeBates of Fayetteville, NC, Noah at home, and granddaughter Jessica (Ray) Schultheis of Dixon, IL plus 4 great-grandchildren, James, Shayla, Lilly, and Rayden, a sister, Dotti (Merwyn) Champion, Bradford, IL, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Service/Memorial Information

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesda, january 8th, 2013 at McNabb United Methodist Church, McNabb. Pastor Carol Stufflrbeam will officiate. Burial will be in Sheffield City Cemetery, Sheffield. Visitation will be from 4 yo 8 p.m. on Monday, January 7th, 2013 at Dysart-Cofoid Funeral Chapel, Granville. There will be an additional visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. at McNabb United Methodist Church, McNabb.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marie Darlene DeBates, please visit our floral store.