Mary Ella Dixon Farrell

Mary Ella Dixon Farrell, 95, of Manteno, passed away Friday February 11, 2022, at Miller Healthcare Center in Kankakee. She was born November 2, 1926, the daughter of Foster and Edna (Thurston) Van Neste. Mary Ella was a graduate from Manteno High School and St. Mary’s School of nursing and joined the US Cadet Nurse Corp in 1944. She worked as a registered nurse in Dr Raymond Malott’s office. She then worked at Manteno Mental Heath Center for 33 years. She has been a member of the Manteno Presbyterian Church since 1941. In 1947, she married Jesse E. Dixon, who passed away in 1968, she then in 1993 married James Farrell, who passed away in 2000. Mary Ella was a charter member of the Manteno Historical Society and was Manteno Citizen of the Year in 2000. She was a member of the Manteno Women’s Club, the Kankakee Christian Woman’s Club, Manteno American Legion Auxiliary, Kankakee Business & Professional Woman’s Club, and the Manteno Home Extension. She enjoyed stockcar racing and quilting. Mary Ellen is survived by her children; Lois (Ron) Meyer, Linda (Steve) Garrison, Chuck (Nancy) Dixon, son in law, Guy McDade, and stepdaughters; Nancy (Gordon) Wheeler and Kay (Darrell) Bertrand. She is proceeded in death by her parents, husbands, her daughter, Lana Dixon McDade, her great granddaughter, Reagan Bremer, and her great grandchild, Austin White. Visitation will be held Tuesday February 15, 2022, from 3pm until 7pm at Brown-Jensen Funeral Home in Manteno. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday February 16, 2022, at 1pm at the Community Presbyterian Church. Pastor Alex Regets will officiate. Donations may be made to Community Presbyterian Church or Manteno Historical Society.