Emily Jean Deason

Emily Jean Deason passed away at 7:00 A.M. on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at her home. Emily was born in Benton, Illinois on November 28, 1922, the daughter of Ezekial H. and Pearl Holland Johnson. Emily has been a lifelong resident of Marion and attended Marion schools. Emily attended Southeast Missouri University after graduating Marion High School. She then transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling. Emily married Jack W. Deason on June 15, 1943, in Sioux Falls South Dakota at the Christian Church. Jack passed away March 31, 1972. Emily was a teacher in the Marion School system for 33 years, retiring in 1983. She taught one year in Jr. High when only 19 years old. She taught all eight grades at Oak Grove School for two years and second grade at the Longfellow School for 30 years. Emily loved teaching and was a very dedicated, caring teacher. She is remembered fondly by students and was pleased to be a favorite of many. Emily continued to be active after her retirement through activities in her community. Her church, The First Christian Church of which she was a lifetime member, was very special to her. She was a member of the Christian Womens Fellowship; a founding member of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, as well as loyal patron of the Civic Center; a Lifetime Member of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Emily was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Marion Fortnightly Club, Alpha Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority, and Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. She has also been a member of the State and County Retired Teachers Associations. Emily will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her survivors include her daughter, Mary Ann Stotlar and husband Fred of Marion. Grandchildren, Sally Ann Stotlar of Houston, Texas. Jane Ann Woytek and husband Patrick of Lemont, Illinois, and David Matthew Stotlar and wife Jenna of Marion. Her three great grandchildren Ellie, Maddie, and Annie Woytek of Lemont, Illinois. Her sister-in-law GeorgeAnn Johnson and brothers-in-law L.C. Cavaness and Curt Fark. Nieces, Lynn Nadler (Rick), Grace Jean Schweitzer (Bryan), Georgette Snell (Bill) and nephews Joel Cavaness, Jon (Lisa) Cavaness, Jim Johnson, Stan Fark, and Dan Fark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, her parents Zeke and Pearl Johnson; her sister Marilyn Cavaness; brother George Johnson; sister-in-law Margaret Fark. Emily would want her family, friends, and caregivers to know how very much she cared for them and appreciated their kindnesses. She felt very blessed by their presence in her life. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11 A.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Rucker officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:00 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.