Mary L. Peterson, age 81, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday March 29, 2017 at the Gateway Inn in Sullivan, Illinois. She was born January 11, 1936 near Niota, Illinois, the daughter of Harold E. and Myrtle Lora Hinman Northup. On December 9, 1983, she married Algie Dee Peterson in Adrian, Illinois.

Earlier in life, Mary worked at Woolworths and the Gleason Company, both in Fort Madison, Iowa, the Lomax Canning Factory, Gualtieri's Italian Village in Dallas City, Illinois, Carthage Memorial Hospital, Carthage, Illinois, and most recently, was a cook at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. She enjoyed traveling, oil painting and dining out. She was an accomplished musician, and enjoyed playing the guitar. She was a member of the Absolute Life Ministries of Dallas City, Illinois.

Survivors include her husband, one daughter, Jackie (Kendall) Hetrick of Lomax, IL, three step children, Michael (Chris) Peterson of Oquawka, IL, Molly Peterson of Sperry, IA, Melissa McIntire of Stronghurst, her mother in law, Elsie Newlan of Lomax, three step grandchildren, one step great grandchild, three sisters, Harriet Hinman of Colorado Springs, CO, Patsy Loos of Camp Point, IL, Jean Crosby of Woodland Park, CO, and two brothers, Harold Northup of Dallas City, IL and Roland (Nancy) Northup of Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her parents and one half-brother, Darrell Hopper.

Visitation will be from Noon until 2:00 p.m. Monday April 3, 2017 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Monday at Banks & Beals, with Rev. Stanley Pratt officiating. Burial will follow in the Olena Cemetery, near Stronghurst. A memorial fund has been established for the family. To sign the guest book or to leave a condolence, please visit banksandbeals.com.