Mary J. Honn, age 64 of Rensselaer, passed away Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 at her home. She was born June 27, 1947 in Watseka, IL, daughter of the late Henry A. Burghardt and Lula May (Diggle). Mary graduated from Watseka Community High School with the class of 1966. She was a lifelong area resident, having previously lived in Brook and Morocco.

Mary completed a year of schooling at the Lafayette Medical Academy in 1975. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper at the Newton County Highway Dept. from 1984 until 1997 when she retired. She was a member of the Indiana Guard Reserves for two years and was honorably discharged in Nov. 1990. She was a member of the VFW of Watseka, the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary of Morocco. Mary loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed the outdoors, working in her garden and planting flowers. She was artistic and enjoyed drawing and plastic canvas needlepoint. She was also an avid reader. Her favorite authors were Danielle Steele and Stephen King.

Mary is survived by five children: Katrina Pentz, Jennifer Parro, and Dale Parro, all of Virginia Beach, VA, Chester Honn, Jr. of Rensselaer, and Julia Honn of Bangor, ME. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Stephen Pentz and Zachary Pentz of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jonathan Bailey, Nicholas Bailey, and Hannah Matlins of Bangor, ME. A great-granddaughter, Kaira Pentz also survives.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Per Mary’s wishes, cremation was chosen and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.

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