Mary Lousie Gilkesson

Administrator of Simons Mortuary Marylouise Gilkesson EAST PEORIA - Mrs. Marylouise (Marshall) Gilkesson of East Peoria, IL, passed away at 1:31 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. She was born in Vicksburg, MS, to Robert and Maggie (Morris) Marshall. She graduated from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX. Marylouise married Alfred C. Gilkesson, and to that union four children were born. Alfred Sr. and Marylouise shared more than 53 years of holy matrimony. He preceded her in death in January 1998. Marylouise leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving and devoted family: her daughter, Florence L. Gilkesson of East Peoria; her sons, Robert M. (Annette) Gilkesson of Baltimore, MD., and James D. (Cynthia) Gilkesson of Peoria; seven grandchildren, Eric (Stephanie) of Atlanta, GA, Reginald of Charlotte, NC, Rochelle and Rashaad, both of Baltimore, MD, and James, Parker and Synclaire, all of Peoria; three great-grandchildren, Reginald Averi, Chloe and Cydney; special nieces, Maggie Hampton of Chicago, IL; Sister Mary Charlotte Marshall, OSP, of Baltimore, MD, and Adrienne Cozart of Lubbock, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who adored Marylouise. Marylouise was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Alfred C. Gilkesson Jr.; and nine brothers. In Washington, D.C., she worked for National Capital Housing Authority and Prince George’s County Public School System and retired from the U.S. Department of Labor (DC Department of Employment Services) as director of youth services. She moved to Peoria to assume the position of administrator of Simons Mortuary. She became a vital pillar of the community and was inducted into the African American Hall of Fame Museum in 2003. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with a visitation one hour prior, beginning at 10 a.m., and a two-hour visitation will be on Monday, June 6, 2011, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Simons Mortuary in Peoria. The Rev. James Kruse will officiate the Mass. Marylouise will be laid to rest in Fondulac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marylouise Gilkesson Scholarship Fund of the Tri-County (Peoria) Urban League TSTM Program and/or the United Usher Board of Peoria. Simons Mortuary in Peoria is in charge of arrangements.

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Mary Lousie Gilkesson

June 2, 2011