Mary E. Ager

Mary Elaine Ager, 98, of Rantoul passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 25, 2026. She was born on October 12, 1927, in Susquehanna Twp., PA, the daughter of Michael D. and Irene B. (Westrick) Cunningham. She married Robert C. Ager on July 10, 1948, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Carrolltown, PA. They spent 31 wonderful years together before his passing in February of 1980.

Mary graduated in 1947 from Hastings High School in Hasting, PA before working for a short period at the Phillips Shirt Factory in Barneshore, PA. After marrying Robert, the family traveled with him while he was in the Air Force for 23 years. After retirement in 1969 their family settled down in Rantoul, IL.

Mary then worked at the Base Ford Exchange as a cashier from August 1967 until 1985. She then worked at Chanute Civil Services from 1986 until April 1992.

Mary was a devoted member at St. Malachy Catholic Church. She served as a Eucharistic minister starting in 1992 under Father Malinowski and Father Laible and also took communion to the home bound with Sister Anita and Sister Ann Elizabeth for 23 years.

Mary is survived by her 6 children, Bonita Fichtenbaum, Judy Humphrey, Sandra Larson, Joyce Drake, David Ager, and Janet Ehler; 13 grandchildren, Nicholas Frichtenbaum, Eric Fichtenbaum, Alexis Marlow, Jeremy Fichtenbaum, Greg Humphrey, Luke Humphrey, Gavin Buhr, Kelsey Brooks, Logan Drake, Olivia Drake, Coleman Ager, Conrad Ager, and Gage Ehler and 9 great-grandchildren, Tatiana Fichtenbaum, Isabel Fitchenbaum, Oliver Fichtenbaum, Arlo Fichtenbaum, Olivia Marlow, Addison Marlow, Lia Humphrey, Avery Humphrey, and Brody Humphrey; siblings, Edward Cunningham and Lt. Colonel Donna Cunningham.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings, Dorothy Burkhart, Constance Koller, Thomas, Leo, Benjamin, Robert, William, Arthur, and James Cunningham.

A Rosary service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at St. Malachy Catholic Church 311 E. Grove Ave. Rantoul, IL 61866. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately after at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Mary will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Mary’s name to the Henry J. Smith Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 12, Rantoul, IL 61866.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Lux Chapel 1551 E. Grove Ave. Rantoul, IL 61866 is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please join Mary’s family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com