Mary Gannaway

Mary Louise Gannaway, 88, of Champaign, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Carle Hospital.

She was born on May 24, 1936 in Champaign to Berl and Dorothy (Brewer) Wilson. She married James (Turp) Gannaway on December 14, 1957. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings, Jeanette Smith and Bill Wilson. She is survived by her two daughters Cindy (Bill) Hand of Urbana and Dawn (John) Isenhower of Trenton, as well as three grandchildren Christopher Isenhower, Allyson Isenhower and Tiffany Hand.

Mary graduated from Champaign High School in 1954. She was a cheerleader and earned third place at the AAU Nationals in New York City for individual tumbling in 1953 and 1954. Mary grew up on a farm and showed cattle at local and national events. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Champaign, and was involved in many clubs, including the Wednesday Friendship Club, Champaign Women’s Club, the M and M Group, Dorcas Circle, United Women in Faith, and Farm Bureau Home Extension, among others. Mary also volunteered for many years as an election poll judge. She worked at the Champaign Telephone Company and First National Bank.

Mary was extremely proud of her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She enjoyed vacations, especially cruises and Las Vegas, going to breakfast with her cousins, and her high school friend luncheons. Mary could frequently be found eating out with her friends, especially at Perkins for pie night.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Champaign or the American Heart Association.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 4-7 pm at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N Neil St, Champaign, IL. The funeral will be held at 11am on Thursday, October 17 at the First United Methodist Church of Champaign 210 W Church St. Mary will be interred at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Champaign.

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