Mary Helen Guess

Mary Helen Guess, 87, of Robinson, IL, passed away on March 20, 2023, at Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong, IL. She was born on January 30, 1936, in Hardinville, IL, one of ten children born to William Charles & Lillie Ellen (Snyder) Dunlap. She made the choice to leave school at the age of 16 to help provide for her family by way of the Ettelbrick Shoe factory. On January 23, 1953, she married Robert Guess just before her 17th birthday, and this loving union brought three cherished children into the world: Janet, Robert, and Patricia. Though she worked at Victor-Dana for a time, much of her young adult life was spent making a home for her family. Though she found purpose and meaning in raising her children, by the time they started attending school, Mary had decided to follow suit! Having determined to become a registered nurse, she took classes at Olney Central College before graduating from Lincoln Trail College with a nursing degree. Through the years, she did it all: she was a school nurse, a private nurse, she tended to patients in both the Med/Surg and the ER wings of Crawford Memorial Hospital, and was an office nurse for Drs. Rotman, Kastner, and Phillippe. She absolutely loved her work, but what's more, she loved her patients! They could have each attested to not only her knowledge and skill but to her kind and caring demeanor as well. In addition to her healthcare career, Mary proudly sold Mary Kay for 40 years.

Time at home was often spent outside, as she loved little more than getting her hands dirty doing the good work of tending to her yard. Her fondness for flowers was particularly evident, as colorful azaleas, daffodils, and geraniums brought color and life to the Guess household, as did her beloved lilac tree. Her yard was also a sanctuary for a host of welcomed wildlife, from squirrels and rabbits to hummingbirds and cardinals. As much as she appreciated watching the redbirds from her window, she enjoyed watching the baseball team more! When she was younger, her father listened to many a St. Louis baseball game, embedding Mary with a love of the Cardinals that never faded with time.

In 1974, she and Bob entrusted Jesus with their lives, an act of faith demonstrated by their baptism and by their joining the Highland Church of Christ family. She also went through the Order of the Eastern Star with Bob and together, they served as a Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron. She also served her community as an election judge, a role in which she took great pride.

As the years went by, her life became enriched by the addition of her cherished grandchildren. They brought her so much joy and were each the apple of their grandma's eye. She loved nothing more than spending time with them, which often involved stuffing them full of her delicious homemade noodles and German chocolate cake! In fact, it could be said that, by filling them up, she herself found fulfillment. It was this selflessness of spirit that endeared Mary to us all. Time and again, she proved that her kind and tender heart beat for others, and if anything could be said about her 87 years, it would be that it was saturated with faith, hope, and love. She always said, "I have God, my husband, my grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; what more could I want?!?" We trust that as she stepped into eternity, she found her answer: life with Jesus, always and forever.

She is survived by her children & their spouses, Janet Sempsrote, Robert & Lisa Guess, and Patty & Steve Slaughter; her grandchildren, Billy Sempsrote, Jr., Bryan Sempsrote & Kasey Wilson, and Brett & Bridget Sempsrote, Travis & Erika Guess, Krystina Guess & Jordan Waggoner, Amber & Shane Ring, Andrea Willmore & Mike Talbott, Adam Slaughter, C.J. & Krista Hasty, Eryn Hasty, and Spencer & Kiersten Hasty; her great-grandchildren, Monica Sempsrote, Lennon Sempsrote, Bronx Sempsrote, Gracie Guess, Theo Guess, Addyson Ring, Brynlee Ring, Jensynn Ring, Everley Ring, Paizley Willmore, Presley Willmore, Braden Hasty, Jaxton Hasty, Oakley Harmon, and Odin Hasty; her sister, Sarah Maus; her two sisters-in-law, Marian Dunlap and Sandra Dunlap; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Charles & Lillie Ellen Dunlap; her husband of 53 years, Robert "Bob" Guess; her brothers, Kenneth Dunlap, Willard "Pete" Dunlap, William "Bill" Dunlap, and Wilbur Dunlap; her sisters, Marian Catt, Elizabeth Cooley, June Johnson, and Mildred Hess; and her son-in-law, Billy "Bill" Sempsrote, Sr.

A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25th, in the Chapel of Highland Church of Christ in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday with Bros. Rick Catt and Rich Swisher officiating. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery. In honor of this dedicated nurse and LTC alumnus, memorial donations may be made to the "Doc & Dorothy Inboden Nursing Scholarship" through Lincoln Trail College. Envelopes will be available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements.