Marie B Edwards

Marie Bertha Edwards (nee Knobeloch), 96, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 9, 2019 following a severe stroke.   Born on her family’s farm in Shiloh Valley, her strong identification with her family, farm life, and her German heritage along with her early life experiences during the hardships of the depression had formative impacts on her.  She excelled in school, attending Rentchler School, a two-room country elementary school, and then graduating as valedictorian from Mascoutah High School.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Chemistry at Southern Illinois University and was awarded a scholarship for graduate work at the University of Illinois, where she earned a Master’s in chemistry.  She briefly worked as an industrial chemist at Mallinkrodt Chemical Company in St. Louis before becoming a teacher at O’Fallon Township High School.  Her major professional accomplishment was to establish, organize, and lead the Chemistry Department at the newly-formed Belleville Junior College starting in 1946.

In 1951, she married Delwin Edwards who had joined the junior college faculty as a chemistry teacher in 1948.  After the birth of her first child, she retired from teaching to raise her children.  Her young family was struck by tragedy with the death of her 11-year-old son, George, in a traffic accident.  Later she and her husband embarked on another career raising strawberries, vegetables, and irises on the farm in Shiloh Valley where she was born, recently designated as a Sesquicentennial Farm. She was a long-time member of Christ United Church of Christ in Belleville and of Shiloh Valley Grange. A dedicated mother, her children are forever grateful for the love of family, gardening, music, nature, learning, literature, and laughter she instilled in them.  Her curious mind and perseverant nature were ever present.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John L. and Ida A. (nee Espenschied) Knobeloch, her sisters Erna Weygandt and Iona Clark, her husband Delwin Clark Edwards, her son, George Knobeloch Edwards, and her granddaughter, Lenore Marie Edwards.  She is survived by her children Ida Mercer (Glenn) of Shaker Heights, OH; John Edwards (Janice) of St. Louis, MO; Andrew Edwards (Catherine) of San Jose, CA; and Ethan Edwards of Belleville; IL; 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Memorials in memory of Marie may be made to the Philharmonic Society of Belleville, 116 N. Jackson, Belleville, IL 62220. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

VISITATION: From 4 to 8 PM Friday, July 12, 2019 and from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Espenschied Chapel, 317 N. County Rd, Mascoutah, IL. There will be a 7:45 PM Grange Ritual Friday evening.

FUNERAL: A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Espenschied Chapel with Rev. Allen Grothe officiating. Burial will follow in Mascoutah City Cemetery.