Mary Ellen DuQuette, nee Dillow, age 74, of New Athens, IL, born February 14, 1947 in Flat River, MO, passed away on Friday May 28, 2021 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. She was a retired CNA. Mrs. DuQuette was of the Catholic faith and loved playing bingo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Eldon Beryl and Frances Patricia (O’Brien) Dillow, her loving husband; Leroy “Duke” Duquette, Jr., whom she married on December 17, 1966 at Union Methodist Church in Belleville, IL and who passed away on March 3, 2019 and one grandson; Nathaniel Dancer.

Mary Ellen is survived by her children; LeRoy (Dawn) DuQuette of Marissa, IL, Michael Eldon (Kara) DuQuette of Muncie, IN, Dena (David) Kathriner of Durant, OK, Monica Carrasco of Sherman, TX and Christopher “Chachi” (Nicole) Duquette of New Athens, IL, one brother; Richard (Michelle) Dillow of Red Bud, IL, one sister; Laura (Kevin) Jones of Summertown, TN, fifteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Parkinson Disease Association.

Visitation; Friends may join the family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday June 3, 2021 and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday June 4, 2021 at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL.  A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday evening at 4 p.m.

Funeral: Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday June 4, 2021 at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL with Father Von Deeke officiating.  Due to scheduling issues, burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis will take place at 10:45 a.m. on Monday June 7, 2021.

Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.

1. Betty Niklich Schaefer says:

   06/13/2021 at 6:20 am

   My deepest sympathy to Mary Ellen’s family. We rode to high school together and enjoyed many fun times in Girl Scout Troup 199.

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2. Norma L. Spytek Puckett says:

   06/07/2021 at 1:48 pm

   Mary Ellen was my canoeing partner on the Current River. We were high school teenagers and our parents decided to camp on the river for 4 to 5 days. Mary Ellen wanted to try the stern…..we were fully loaded with OUR camping gear, cooking gear and other important stuff. We tipped as we rounded a rootwad. The contents of the canoe were floating, sinking and sorta sitting in the water, as were we. The gear was recovered, sleeping bags had been kept dry, canoe flipped upward and emptied of water, canoe re-loaded and we all proceeded down to Big Spring. A great time had by all………….. thanks for the memory Mary Ellen……

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3. Terry Lynn Schuchman says:

   06/04/2021 at 6:42 am

   Richard and family my deepest condolences . . . Mary Ellen was a great friend from Central Jr High School and on . . . Remembering fondly Mariner Girl Scout Troop 199 and all those trips to St. Louis in a Tom’s Delivery Truck to earn our Red Cross Small Craft Safety Patch so we could go in a canoe float . . . And all those water skiing trips to Crab Orchard Lake . . .may God bless you all . . . Terry Lynn Schau Schuchman

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4. Rose says:

   05/31/2021 at 1:41 pm

   We will miss you dearly grandma. Make sure to give Pop and Nate a huge hug & kiss for us! We love you forever!

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5. Betty McBride says:

   05/30/2021 at 11:28 pm

   My deepest condolences to the family. I was a high-school classmate and in Senior Girl Scout Troop 199 with Mary Ellen. We had many adventures in those days.

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6. Linda Joyce says:

   05/29/2021 at 11:21 pm

   Sorry for the loss or your sweet mother and my good friend Mary.I knew her for a short four or five years,but she became a good friend.She could always make me laugh.Rest in peace Mary,you will be missed.

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7. Ellen says:

   05/29/2021 at 4:53 pm

   My prayers for comfort. Many good memories with your Mom and Dad that I hold dearly.

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   • Yvette DuQuette Diaz says:

     05/30/2021 at 3:29 am

     My deepest condolences to all the family…May God give you the strength at this time…Tia Mary you will be truly missed, love u…🙏

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8. Larry Mary Jo says:

   05/29/2021 at 4:32 pm

   Sending our sympathy in the loss of Mary Ellen. We know she left you with many wonderful memories to make you smile. Larry and Mary Jo

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