Mary Ellen Wernsing, 81, of Springfield, formerly of Harvel, died on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at 9:40 a.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Graveside services will be conducted Friday, May 29, beginning at 11 a.m. at Morrisonville Cemetery with Pastor James Jones officiating.Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville is assisting the family.
Ms. Wernsing was born on Feb. 21, 1939, in Springfield, to Everett and Ellen (McWard) Bails. She married Carroll Max Wernsing on Aug. 28, 1960, in Morrisonville, and they later divorced.
She graduated from Lincolnwood High School in 1957, and went on to study music at Illinois Wesleyan.
During her career, Ms. Wernsing was co-owner and operator of the Wernsing and Son Meat Locker in Harvel until 1987. She then worked for US Bank in Springfield for many years, before finally retiring from the State of Illinois Treasurer’s office. In her retirement years, she worked as a Mary Kay consultant.
She was a long-time member of the Harvel Christian Church, where she played piano and organ for over 30 years.
Ms. Wernsing loved America and was very patriotic. She kept family informed of the current events within the state and federal governments. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and followed Illini Basketball.
She enjoyed shopping for Christmas and birthday gifts, for family and friends, making selections that were “just right” for each individual. She loved cooking, finding new recipes, reading and sharing new ideas with others. Of all her talents and interests, one of her favorite pastimes was going out to eat with family and friends, celebrating special occasions, or just as an opportunity to visit.
Ms. Wernsing is survived by her daughter, Renee (husband Stephen) Brown of Morrisonville; son, David (wife Stephanie) Wernsing of Taylorville; grandchildren, Ethan (wife Katie) Brown of Morrisonville, Alyssa (husband SSG Matthew) Rever of Ft. Sill, OK, Leyton Brown of Urbana, PO2 Alexandria Wernsing of Jacksonville, FL, Anastasia Wernsing of Indianapolis, IN, Nicholas Wernsing and Maria Wernsing, both of Taylorville; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Tyler Brown and Trenton and Adalyn Rever; nieces, Lisa (husband Lynn) Waldeck of Farmersville and Linda (husband Curt) Poe of Sherman; and nephews, Steve Bails of Raymond and Jim (wife Annette) Bails of Springfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Andrew Brown; and brother and sister-in-law, E. Richard and Deanna Bails.
Memorials may be directed to Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, 733 Third Ave. Suite 510, New York, NY 10017 or Loving Arms Pregnancy Center, 500 N. Walnut Street, Taylorville, IL 62568.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
