Mary Burton

Mary L. Burton, age 87, of Peoria, IL, passed from this life to eternal life with Jesus on October 15, 2021.

She was born on Christmas day 1933 to Don and Lois (Hall) Mason in Macomb, IL. She married Samuel L. Burton on October 6, 1957, and had two children, Debra Powell and Rodney Utterback.

Mary came to Peoria in 1957 and worked as a waitress, became a partner and real estate agent with The Realty Mart, and then worked at the USPS as a part-time clerk, then was promoted to Post Master at the Hanna City Post Office from which she retired in 1993.

After she retired, Mary loved to travel; actually, I believe she always had a travel bag packed to leave on short notice.  In her lifetime, she traveled throughout the United States and Europe.  Of all of Mary's adventures, she said the most beautiful place she saw was Alaska.

She was always an inspiration to her family and friends, very independent and creative.  Mary had an interest in buying and selling homes throughout her lifetime and, in her later years, was a contributor to the establishment of the real estate company "The Bryson Smith Team." Mary also had a talent for turning trash into beautiful treasures and creative decorating skills.

A quote taken from her journal is:  “a gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials.” She was always there to give words of encouragement and to help others through difficult times.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Samuel L. Burton, her son Rodney Utterback, her parents, and many brothers and sisters.

Surviving is her daughter Debra Powell and Randy Powell (husband),  her sister Lynda Roberts and her grandson Bryson Smith and several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be held 3:00pm Monday, October 25, 2021 at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Heights Fellowship Church in Peoria. 

Mary is out of sight for now, but we all shall meet in Heaven again.

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