Mary Lee (Gooch) Endsley, 90, of Mt. Erie, Illinois passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital Skill Care Unit. She was born on July 10, 1936 at home in Barnhill Township in Wayne County, Illinois. Her parents were Norman “Jake” and Lula (Reed) Gooch. Mary Lee married Gordon Endsley of Mt. Erie, Illinois on February 27, 1954. They shared 72 years of marriage before his passed in June 2026.
Mary Lee attended Fairfield Community High School. She spent her life being a homemaker and farm wife.
Mary Lee was member of the West United Methodist Church of Mt. Erie until it closed. She served many years as a Nursery Sunday School Teacher. She had been attending the Wesleyan Church of Fairfield.
Mary Lee is survived by her sons Curtis (Vickie) Endsley, of Mt. Erie, IL and John (Karen) Endsley, of Washington, IL; grandsons Clint (Julie) Endsley, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Lance (Lindsey) Endsley, of Cisne, IL and Matt Howard, of Chicago, IL; greatgrandchildren Kate, Parker, Savannah, and Anna Beth Endsley, of Cisne, IL, Hudson Endsley, of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Wes Fosdick, of Peoria, IL, Isaiah Howard, of Peoria, IL and MaKayla Howard, of North Miami, FL; a sister-in-law, Wilma Jenkins, of Kingsport, TN and a brother-in-law, Allen (Donna) Endsley, of Mt. Erie, IL.
Mary Lee was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Virgil and Bertha (Arnold) Endsley and a grandson, Tim Howard.
As per Mary Lee’s request, a graveside service will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:30 AM at the West Cemetery southeast of Mt. Erie, IL. The address of the cemetery is 1382 County Road 1270 E, Mt. Erie, IL 62446.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Mary Lee may be made to Fairfield Memorial Hospital Skilled Care Unit and will be accepted at Nale’s Funeral Home in Fairfield, IL.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.nalesfuneralhome.com. Nale’s Funeral Home of Fairfield is assisting the family.
