Mary Louise Brandon

Mary Louise Brandon, 80, died Tuesday, November 19, 2019, in Herrin Hospital.

She was born January 26, 1939, in Sunnyside to Clyde “Pat” Brandon and Mabel Irene (Brown) Brandon.

She graduated from Sunnyside Grade School in 1953 and from Herrin Township High School in 1957. Mary Louise had a long career working for the state of Illinois, ultimately retiring from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s banking division in 1998.

From the start, she and brother Carl were a team, making a home together in Springfield, Riverton and, ultimately, Herrin. 

Mary Louise was a protective older sister to Carl, Don, John and Ruth. She doted on her six nieces and nephews — Michelle, Brian, Patrick, Michael, Lori and Melissa— all of whom basked in her attention and affection.

In her later years, she proudly welcomed nine grand-nieces and nephews — Jordan, Rylee, Kayleigh, Annalise, Timmy, Aida, Helena, Matthew and Kenzleigh.

Mary Louise was a member of Christian Covenant Fellowship in Carterville.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two of her brothers, Clyde Eugene Brandon and Carl Brandon.

She is survived by two brothers, Don (Cathy) Brandon of Herrin and John (Sheryl) Brandon of Springfield; one sister, Ruth Ellen (Tim) Fross of Belleville; three nieces, Michelle (Neil) Holdway of Schaumburg; Lori (Dan) Haberrieter of Huntingtown, Maryland; and Melissa Fross of Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; three nephews, Brian (Michelle) Brandon of Gillette, Wyoming; Patrick (Stephanie Moore) Brandon of Webster Groves, Missouri; and Michael (DeAnn) Fross of East Carondelet; three grand-nephews, Jordan Brandon, Timmy Fross and Matthew Fross; and six grand-nieces, Rylee Brandon, Kayleigh Fross, Annalise Haberreiter, Aida Haberreiter, Helena Brandon and Kenzleigh Fross. Mary Louise also is survived by a host of cousins and was particularly close to Rev. Ralph Brandon and family.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. The funeral service will be conducted by the Rev. Ralph Brandon at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the funeral home, followed by interment at Herrin City Cemetery.