CONROE, TEXAS — Mary Bell Karmenzind, 78, formerly of 105 Baylor St., East Peoria, died at 3:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at Conroe Regional Medical Center in Conroe, Texas.

Born March 25, 1931, in Boulder to Cecil and Lydia Wade Cox, she married Archie Butler Feb. 20, 1954, in El Paso. 

He preceded her in death  Sept. 28, 1971, in East Peoria. She later married Rod Karmenzind June 12, 1984, in Peoria. He preceded her in death March 27, 1998, in East Peoria. Cecil and Lydia Cox, her parents, also preceded her in death.

Survivors include one daughter, Deborah (Scott) Smith of Willis, Texas; one son, Danny (Debbie) Butler of Yakima, Wash.; one brother, Dean (Liz) Cox of Cincinnati, Ohio; five grandchildren, Aaron Raney, Renee Raney, Brendan Smith, Diedra (Patrick) Barlow, and Danny Butler, and five great-grandchildren; and three nephews; two wonderful ladies at the care home whom Mary thought were blessings from God, Kathryn Hayden and Norma Ramsey; and one special little nursemaid, Riley.

Mary did child care in her home for many years. She also did ironing for many as well.
Mary worked as an Aide at Queenswood Nursing Home in Morton for five years. 

She later worked in the Cardiac area at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria for 12 years. She was a member of the First Free Methodist Church in Peoria for more than 50 years.

Services for Mary will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria. The Revs. Tom Pisano and Tim Ward will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Free Methodist Church in Peoria or to Sky Lodge Camp.

Mary’s memorial Web site is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to the family.