Mary Lou Dalton, 85, of Rockford, Illinois, formerly of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away Monday, January 7, 2019 at Crimson Point Assisted Living Center in Rockford. She was born April 15, 1933 in Stronghurst, the daughter of Ed and Eva Hohstadt Bowen. On April 27, 1951, she married Donald C. Dalton in Stronghurst. He preceded her in death on March 12, 1998.

Mary Lou was a graduate of Stronghurst High School. She worked at Burlington Farm Machinery Company for ten years, and later was bookkeeper for Southern School District in Stronghurst for several years. She had lived in Stronghurst, Carman, and later, Mount Sterling, and moved to Rockford following the death of her husband. She loved growing flowers, singing in the church choir, cooking, bird watching, and playing Rook and Dominoes with family and friends. She was a member of the Stronghurst United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Ben (Vicki) Dalton of Byron, IL, Scott (Dianne) Dalton of Mount Sterling, IL, three grandchildren, Jake Dalton, Kendra Cox, Annie Dalton, three great grandchildren, Ascher Cox, Berkley Dalton, and Braxton Dalton, and two brothers, Harold "Tuffy" Bowen of Farmington, IL, and Larry Bowen of Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, Vince and Carl Bowen and one sister, Betty Norris.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until Noon Friday January 11, 2019 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. A graveside service will be at 12:15 p.m. Friday in the Stronghurst Cemetery, with Pastor Lisa Unger officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Crimson Point Assisted Living Center, in Rockford, IL. Please visit banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.