Mary Ellen Knuckey, 84, of Scales Mound, IL, passed away at 8 P/M, Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at the Bell Tower Retirement Community, East Dubuque, IL.

Funeral services will be at 10 A/M, Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, in Schapville, IL, with Rev. Barb Rapp officiating. Burial will be in Scales Mound Township Cemetery.

To celebrate Mary's life, friends may call from 4 P/M to 8 P/M, on Friday, January 17th, at the Miller & Steinke Funeral Home, Scales Mound, and after 9 A/M, on Saturday, January 18th, at the church.

Mary as born on June 30, 1929, the daughter of August and Ethel (Koester) Brickner. She married William "Bill" Knuckey on her birthday, June 30, 1951, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Guilford Township. He preceded her in death on May 6, 1992.

Mary and her late husband, Bill, farmed in the Scales Mound area until retirement. Mary was a wonderful loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Most of all she loved and cherished her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. She enjoyed their many visits and spending time with them. Mary's passion was cooking, she worked for the Scales Mound School District for over twenty years preparing daily meals and she will be remembered by former students and faculty for her baking expertise and her homemade cinnamon rolls. Mary was well known throughout the community for her catering talents and was especially known for her Turkey and Dressing Sandwiches and Potato Salad. Assisting Mary with the catering business was her sister, the late Irma Ohms, and her sister-in-law, Janet Brickner, who were known as the Catering Sisters. Mary was an active member of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Schapville, where she met regularly with her Bible Study group, The Circle. Mary also enjoyed playing cards, with Euchre being her favorite, and occasionally she tried her luck at the Casino. Mary was a graduate of Scales Mound High School. Mary was a great friend to many and truly will be missed.

Surviving are her three children, George (Catherine) Knuckey, of Scales Mound, IL, and their children Phillip, Matthew, Jason (Ashlee), Ryan (Kelly) and Andrew Knuckey, Doug (Marsha) Knuckey, Apple Canyon Lake, IL, and their children, Maranda (Jared) Wendt, Michelle and Kristin Knuckey, and Sue (Joe) McGivney, of Apple River, IL, and their children, Jase and Kyle McGivney; and one brother, Bill (Janet) Brickner, of Scales Mound, IL.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William (Bill) Knuckey; and sister, Irma (Chuck) Ohms.

Mary's family would like to extend their deepest "gratitude" for the excellent care she received at the Bell Tower Retirement Community in East Dubuque, and the Galena-Stauss Assisted Living, Galena. A special "thank-you" to Hospice of Dubuque for all their care, and to Pastor Barb Rapp for her visits and gentle words at the end of Mary's long faith-filled life.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.