Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
Eva Marie Durey 1932-2024
Eva Marie Durey, 92, of Fredericktown, Mo., widow of the Rev. Daren Clayton Durey, died June 18, 2024, Fredericktown, Mo. She was born Feb. 2, 1932, in Illinois, a daughter of Frank Chalen and Ethel Mae (Blood) Nihells. On June 17, 1967, she was united in marriage to Pastor Daren Clayton Durey. He preceded her in death on Nov. 12, 2020. Eva was a manager of the Save A Lot store in Flora. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, camping and being the wife of a minister. She is survived by her children, Edie Gollings of Texas, Brenda (Scott) Foster of Indiana, Daren George (Karla) Durey of Michigan, Paulette Ashby of Illinois, Brenda Chuchawat of Illinois and Lisa (Paul) Brown of Fredericktown, Mo.; 19 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, and husband, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter. Graveside services for Eva Marie Durey were held June 29, 2024 at Kirk Cemetery in Bonnie.
Mary Jane Fester 1937-2025 Mary Jane Fester, 88, the widow of the Rev. William D. Fester, died Jan. 11, 2025, in Glen Carbon. Born January 8, 1937, Mary Jane was the daughter of Paul and Laura (Grove) Wood of Louisville, the seventh of nine children. Growing up, Mary Jane played piano and sang with her sisters, both
at her home church and surrounding churches. After receiving her BA in Music Education from Asbury College, she met her husband, Rev. William (Bill) Fester at a church camp where he was preaching, and she was playing piano. After their marriage in 1961, she and Bill served the following pastorates comprising 42 years of active ministry in the former Southern Illinois, and later, Illinois Great Rivers conferences: Grand Tower-Gorham; Cairo: Tigert; Granite City: Nameoki; and Alton: Main Street, from where they retired after 25 years of ministry in 2002. Rev. Fester died June 27, 2009. Mary Jane and Bill raised three children while she continued a 30-year career teaching elementary school music in the Granite City School district. She also took an active role in the music life of the church playing piano or organ, leading various choirs, or holding down the alto part in the sanctuary choir. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards with friends, shopping, and spending time with family. Mary Jane is survived by her three children: Douglas (James Sie) Wood of Los Angeles Calif., Bradley (Maria) Fester of Northwoods and Michelle (Chris) Meyers of Eureka Mo.; her three grandchildren: Benjamin Sie, Christina (Matthew) Prechter, and Kylie Fester; her three great-grandchildren; Immanuel, Raphael, and Salomé Prechter; and her sister; Virginia Behrens of Eugene, Ore. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and seven brothers and sisters (Paul Jr., Margaret, Barbara, Joan, Elizabeth, John, and Jim). A memorial service celebrating the life of Mary Jane Fester was held Jan. 18, 2025 at Alton Main Street UMC with the Rev. Ed Weston officiating.
250 Memoirs
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