Mary Ann Hochmuth, 64 of Staunton, Illinois passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Community Memorial Hospital in Staunton. Born September 9, 1953 in Granite City, Illinois, she was a daughter of the late Mrs. Veronica (Ryterski) Konkel and the late Mr. Leo Konkel. She married John R. Hochmuth on August 16, 1975 in the Roman Catholic Church of Maseru, Lesotho, Africa and he survives. Mary taught fourth grade for many, many years at Staunton Elementary School in Staunton, Illinois. Prior to that, Mary taught high school Mathematics in the Peace Corps in Maseru, Lesotho, Africa, and taught sixth grade at St. Mary’s School in Belleville, Illinois. She retired from teaching in 2014. Mary also worked as the Staunton Township Tax Assessor for 12 years. Mary graduated from Granite City High School in 1971 and from Eastern Illinois University with a Mathematics degree in 1974. She later graduated from SIU- Edwardsville in 1983 with a Master’s Degree in Education & Reading Comprehension. Mary was a past member of the Staunton Public Library Board, was currently an executive officer at Duda Ace Hardware in Staunton, an eternal member of the Divine Ya Ya Sisterhood of Staunton, and a member of travel clubs too numerous to document. Mary had many hobbies, her favorite being: quilting, flower gardening, bird watching, reading, traveling, and attending family events.

She is survived by her husband, John R. Hochmuth of Staunton, IL; 2 children, Laila Hochmuth of Staunton, IL (Born August 26, 1979); and Erich (Kate) Hochmuth of St. Louis, MO (Born June 19, 1977; 4 grandchildren, Isabelle, Emma, Alex, and Owen; 2 sisters, Gerry (Mike) Girard of St. Louis, MO; and Gloria (Ron) Kellerman of Pinckneyville, IL; 1 brother, Ervin (Betsy) Konkel of St. Louis, MO; 1 sister-in-law, Carolyn Kohlmeier; nieces, Katie Konkel, Andrea Kellerman, Jennifer Beilsmith, Julie Finch, and Lisa Bray; nephews, Greg Girard, Robert Kellerman, Chris Konkel, and Bryan Kohlmeier; and many great nieces and great nephews also survive. Besides her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her in-laws, Helen & Herman Hochmuth; sister-in-law, Patricia Hochmuth; and brother-in-law, Roy Kohlmeier.

Friends may call from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton.  A memorial service will follow at 2 PM at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Rev. George Radosevich officiating. Memorials are suggested to either the Fifth Grade Patriot Club, Staunton Public Library, or to Adopt-A-Pet.

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