Mary A. Arkels

  Mary A. Arkels, 97, of Streator passed away Friday, December 23, 2022 at her residence.   

  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 29th at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.  Msgr. Philip Halfacre will officiate.

  Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. Thursday, December 29th at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.

  Burial will be in Lostlands Cemetery in Eagle Township.  Pallbearers will be family members, Rick Arkels, Ryon Arkels, Adam Reh, Tony Simpson, Sean Peters and Mark Burley.

  In honor of Mary’s love for her Irish heritage the family requests that people wear traditional Irish green or her favorite colors of black and white to her services.

  Born March 7, 1925 in Streator she was the daughter of Clarence and Alice (Conness) Whalen.  She married Rodney A. Arkels on April 1, 1944 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.  He preceded her in death on May 15, 2007.

  She is survived by a son, Richard Arkels of Streator; daughters, Mary Ann (Brian) Reh of Laingsburg, Michigan and Therese Simpson of Streator; grandchildren, Rick (Amanda) Arkels, Ryon Arkels, Adam (Melissa) Reh, Katie (Mark) Burley, Megan Reh, Ben (Staci Krominga) Simpson and Tony Simpson; 12 great grandchildren also survive.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter in law, Sue Arkels; a son in law, Frank Coop a great granddaughter, Jasmine Simpson; a sister, Lois Freeman and brothers, Robert and Richard Whalen.

  She attended the Conness one room Grade School and graduated from Streator High School in the class of 1943.  She lived in Streator and Leonore areas her lifetime.

  She worked through the years for Owens Illinois Glass Company and Lipton Tea.  She was primarily a homemaker.

  She was a member of the former Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Eagle, the former St. Anthony Church and currently was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.

  She was as an Election Judge and also served as the Treasurer for Forrester’s Catholic Insurance Group throughout the years.

  Mary was very proud of her family and her Irish Heritage.  She loved horses and taking trips with her family.

 Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army.

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

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.