Mary Beatrice Hanshew Obituary (1942

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 5:46 am, another leaf fell from the family tree, with the passing of Mary Beatrice (Runyon) Hanshew. Born May 5, 1942 at the Fairbury Hospital to Erney Clifford and Grace (Nance) Runyon. Married October 30, 1981 to Robert "Sonny" Hanshew in Chatsworth. He passed February 21, 1991. In 1996, she met Jerry Bridgeforth, her soul mate and spent 12 years with him. He passed away on December 29, 2012. Preceded in death by her parents, husband and soul mate; one brother, Thomas Nance Runyon and two sisters, Sandra Kay Garrett and Barbara J. Black. Survived by one sister June Arnold, brothers: Donald (Shirley) Runyon, Larry Runyon, Erney (Diane) Runyon, Randy (Terri) Runyon, and Richard (Donna) Runyon. Many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews survive also. She had many adopted nieces and nephews that she loved as family. You know who you are. Mary Beatrice was named for her two grandmothers, Mary Ida Runyon and Mabel Beatrice Nance. Just think, she could have been Mabel Ida! Mary Beatrice was a member of the Walter Clemons Post #613 Auxiliary. She belonged to the United Methodist Church of Chatsworth. She was also a trustee of the Baltz Library, a curator of the Little School Museum for 5 years and a member of the Chatsworth Historical Society. She loved to read, draw, write poetry, and crochet. She loved doing genealogy research for her family and the town of Chatsworth. She managed the website of "Chatsworth Illinois Memories" for almost 20 years. Cremation rites will be accorded, and private family inurnment will take place at a later date in Chatsworth Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Calvert & Martin Funeral home in Chatsworth is handling the arrangements.