Mary Jane Fester, 88, passed away on January 11, 2025 at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, IL.
Born January 8, 1937, she was the daughter of Paul and Laura (Grove) Wood of Louisville, IL, the seventh of nine children. Growing up, Mary Jane played piano and sang with her sisters, both at her home church and surrounding churches. After receiving her BA in Music Education from Asbury College, she met her husband, Rev. William (Bill) Fester at a church camp where he was preaching, and she was playing piano. After their marriage in 1961, she and Bill were posted to churches in Grand Tower, Cairo, Granite City, and Alton through the Southern Illinois conference of the United Methodist Church. Mary Jane and Bill raised three children while she continued a thirty-year career teaching elementary school music in the Granite City School district. She also took an active role in the music life of the church playing piano or organ, leading various choirs, or holding down the alto part in the sanctuary choir. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards with friends, shopping, and spending time with family. Mary Jane is survived by her three children; Douglas (James Sie) Wood of Los Angeles CA, Bradley (Maria) Festen of Northwoods IL, and Michelle (Chris) Meyers of Eureka MO; her three grandchildren; Benjamin Sie, Christina (Matthew) Prechter, and Kylie Festen; her three great-grandchildren; Immanuel, Raphael, and Salomé Prechter; and her sister; Virginia Behrens of Eugene, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and seven brothers and sisters (Paul Jr., Margaret, Barbara, Joan, Elizabeth, John, and Jim). A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Main Street United Methodist Church. Rev. Ed Weston will officiate with a visitation following. To view the service, please go to: https://youtube.com/live/QEAXqU3eHYU?feature=share In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Rev. William Fester Benevolent Fund at Asbury Village. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com