Mary Buck

Mary Lucinda Buck left this world to be with her heavenly father at 1:45 p.m. Thursday (April 17, 2025). Mary was born on Dec. 23, 1961. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leo and Lucinda (Early) Buck and Walter and Mary Catherine (Trapp) Decker; father, Raymond Buck; infant sister, Kathleen Ann Buck; infant brother, Brian Eli Buck; and infant great-niece, Nora Lianne Oliger. She was a farm girl who liked bling. She was the best-dressed employee while she walked beans and baby sat. She attended Penfield Grade School through 1976; Armstrong Township High School through 1980; Danville Area College and Illinois Central College in East Peoria, earning her degree as a physical therapy assistant; and Parkland College, earning a degree in massage therapy. Mary was a thrower on the track team, played volleyball and was the manager for the boys’ basketball team at ATHS. During high school, she worked as a nurses aide at the Gifford nursing home. She moved to Payson, Ariz., after graduation and worked as a physical therapist assistant from 1984 to 1996. Mary moved back to Illinois to take care of family members. She retired in 2022 after being employed by OSF as an in-home physical therapist assistant. Mary and sister Cecelia owned a business: SOS Vintage, focusing on mid-century modern housewares. They sold their antiques at Gordyville and several other venues. Mary was an animal lover, especially her puppy dogs Molly and Saassy. She raised butterflies, enjoyed reading, skydiving, loved flowers, liked going to the movies, and had a great sense of humor. She spoiled her nieces and nephews by giving them a series of Christmas ornaments every year. Mary is survived by her mom, Joan E. Buck; a brother, Greg Buck; four sisters, Cecelia (Dave) Vermillion, Julie (John Dixon) Buck, Denise (Todd) Griffith and Lisa (Rob) Bartley; three nieces, Cassandra (Johnny) Griffith Oliger, Ashley Bartley and Nicole Vermillion; and four nephews, Jacob (Erica) Griffith, Alex (Natalie) Vermillion, Chad Vermillion and Ryan Bartley. Mary put others’ needs ahead of her own. A gathering of friends and family will be from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday at Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul. Graveside service will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Penfield. Donations in Mary’s name may be may to the Humane Society or the NEC Society.