Mary Katherine Bliss Dadant, 76, of Quincy, IL, passed away peacefully at home on September 15, 2023, with her beloved husband, Tim, at her side. Mary was born on June 15, 1947, in Normal, Illinois, to Raymond L. and Hazel Sutherland Bliss. She grew up on the family farm and attended Octavia High School in Colfax, Illinois. She was a nine-year member of 4-H. Highlights of her time in the club include making lifelong friends and being named Miss McClean County Fair 1965 and Miss Illinois County Fair 1966. In the latter role, she traveled to county fairs around the state to emphasize the importance of agriculture, a topic she was passionate about.

After high school, Mary attended the University of Illinois, where she graduated with high honors in the teaching of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with distinction in the curriculum in 1969. During college, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta social sorority, Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi honoraries, Mortar Board, Illini Union Board, Assembly Hall Board, and a candidate for Homecoming Queen.

On August 24, 1968, Mary married her college sweetheart, Timothy C. Dadant of Hamilton, Illinois, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Champaign, Illinois. They enjoyed more than 55 wonderful years together. He survives. After teaching English at Delavan High School and Carthage High School, Mary elected to stay home and rear her family. Nicole Camille Dadant was born in 1971, and Jennifer Marie Dadant was born in 1972. One of the highlights of her life was time spent with her two young daughters, attending mommy and tot swim lessons, taking them to dance classes, and chaperoning pom pon camp.

Over the years, she contributed to the community, serving on the Hamilton Library Board and the Keokuk Area Hospital Board and being an organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton, Illinois.

She worked in real estate for several years before being chosen to be a State Farm Insurance Agent in Hamilton, Illinois. When the Carthage agent retired, she became the State Farm Insurance Agent for all of Hancock County.

Mary enjoyed her retirement to the fullest and used her time to focus on her family and favorite hobby, reading. She was one of the earliest members of the library book club, The Bookies. Later, she joined Renaissance Readers, also at the library, and spent eighteen years in A Novel Book Club with her friends.

Mary was a devoted mother and grandmother to her seven grandchildren, who called her “Mimi.” Her favorite time was when she and Tim had all the grandchildren at her house, and she could spoil them with runs to Starbucks, family card and dice games, special celebrations, and her famous Summer Cookies.

Other survivors include Nicole Jones (Matthew) of Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer Blum (John) of Bloomington, Illinois. Three granddaughters: Brittany Jones, Samantha Jones, and Natalie Blum. Four grandsons: Zac Jones, Joe Blum, Tim Jones, and Will Blum. A sister, Martha Ehlers (Norm) of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and countless other beloved relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew, David Ehlers, and brother-in-law, Wayne Marting.

The family would like to thank Dr. Adam Reyburn for his excellent care through the years and Blessing Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 9:00 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 at St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment in Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton, IL. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation in Chicago, Illinois.