Kathleen Pape

Marion Kathleen Pape, long time educator and community servant, went to Heaven with the angels Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 5:30 P.M.. Those who know and love her have no doubt that she has already introduced herself to anyone there that she might not already know and is sharing some excellent stories with them. Kathleen was born on March 11, 1931 to Ruby and William H. Coleman in Chicago, Illinois. She spent her first fifteen years leading what she affectionately called her street gang of friends roaming around the neighborhood and generally exploring. In 1946, she moved with her family to Williamson County and attended Marion High School. She graduated from MHS in 1947 at the age of 16. She entered the teaching profession at the age of 17 by pretending to be 18 to qualify. Kay met Walter Pape in 1948 at a church social. They married in 1949, and have spent 59+ years together. They have two sons, Jim and John. She was a wonderful grandmother to her four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She made up fanciful stories for them and taught them interesting songs. Kay spent more than 39 years employed as a teacher. She earned three degrees during that time and was Director of Title 1 for Marion Community Unit Schools for many years prior to her retirement. She is well known and loved by her many former students because she always truly believed in each of them. She was very active in professional associations and served on many statewide boards. She retired from the Marion school system in 1987 but continued to teach as a volunteer for the rest of her life. Kay was always active in both the church and the community. She taught Sunday School at Zion UCC in Marion continuously for 63 years. Over the years she also taught Bible School, Confirmation Classes, LOGOS, Bible Study and many other classes. In the community, Kay volunteered in many organizations including Adult Literacy where she led a class for special needs adults every Tuesday night for more than 20 years. She was also active in getting the Boyton Street Center started, served on the Board there, and provided tutoring. Kay enjoyed people of all kinds. She did not believe in strangers and was always introducing herself to anyone who she might happen to see. She loved to talk and to find the connection between herself and the other person. Once people met her, they usually did not forget her. In retirement, she and Walter developed a regular pattern of going to specific restaurants for lunch on specific days of the week. Friends would know the routine and meet them to visit. Saturday was Dairy Queen, and she regularly held court there. Kay is survived by her husband, Walter; children Jim and Debby Pape; John Pape and Alan Seale; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, David and Trinka Pape, Joshua, Rebecca and Aaron; Nathaniel Pape, Grace and Joseph; Kaleb and Abbie Pape, Judah and Mary; Kate and Ralph Dunham, Ben, Jacob, Gregory Adam, and Sammy; siblings Mike and Donna Coleman; Eileen and Jim Crawford; sister-in-law Helen Mescher; nieces, nephews, hundreds of former students; and an unlimited supply of friends, all of whom loved her dearly and will miss her funny stories, silly songs, and ability to make them feel that there were the truly special one. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Zion United Church of Christ Church with Rev. John Holst officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00 8:00 P.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion and from 10 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. For those who prefer memorials may be made to the Zion UCC Memorial Fund, Boyton Street Center, John A. Logan Adult Literacy, or other charity of the givers choice. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.