Marsha Kay Yeck, beloved daughter, wife and sister, and devoted aunt and friend, passed away and was called home to God on May 24, 2024, at Pavilion of Ottawa, Illinois. She was 79.

  Born in Streator, Illinois, to Arthur Bartley McConnell and Betty Jean Laurance, Marsha was the baby of the family behind her sister Judy and brothers Larry and Patrick. A Streatorite for most of her life, Marsha had a zest for adventure and a passion for music, technology and sports. She dedicated her life to family and caring for others, including her father, who died in 1960.

  After her mother remarried in 1962 to John J. Prall, Marsha became a big sister to two step-brothers, Bill and John, and three half-sisters, Susan, Kathy and Krista. A 1963 graduate of Streator High School, “Mush,” as her friends called her, often said her years at SHS were the best of her life.

  Marsha married her childhood sweetheart, Edmund Yeck, on Dec. 27, 1967. He passed away in February 1971, just weeks after Marsha’s mother died. Marsha became a mother-figure to her younger sisters and she remained dedicated to her in-laws, Grace and Lyle Yeck, for the rest of their lives.

  After graduating from Illinois Valley Community College, Marsha began her career as a nurse, which she called “the best job.” She started in OB/GYN, bringing in life at St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator, and ended working with Alzheimer’s patients as director of nursing at Camelot Terrace in Streator. In between, Marsha lived in Naples, Florida, for a dozen years before returning to Streator.

  Marsha enjoyed many friendships, clubs and global travel. She toured Europe, including Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany and Switzerland, her favorite stop. She also traveled to Russia while it was behind the Iron Curtain. In addition to being a faithful fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Chicago Cubs, Marsha enjoyed theater, fishing, gambling, playing cards and bowling. She frequently won games and tournaments in Streator and Naples. Marsha also enthusiastically volunteered for Light Up Streator.

  As she soars to the heavens, Marsha will be reunited with her husband, her parents and in-laws, her sister Judy Sherman; brother Larry McConnell; step-brother John H. Prall; nephews Stephen McConnell and Dylan Joyce; and niece Robin Krum. She will also be reunited with her adored cats Pyewacket I, Pyewacket II and Sophina.  

  Marsha leaves behind her brother Patrick McConnell (Joyce); half-sisters Susan Grady (Jerry Weber), Kate MacArthur (Gregg) and Krista Prall; and step-brother William Prall. She will be missed by her many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins in her McConnell, Prall, Masters, Grady, Yeck and Weber families. She counted her lifelong friends Pat Mann, Darla Schmidt and Deanne Easi as family.

  Marsha will join her husband at their final resting place at Riverview Cemetery in Streator in a brief graveside service on Friday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. Immediately following, the family will host a celebration of life at Chipper’s in Streator.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Make-a-Wish and Light Up Streator.

  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com