OSKALOOSA — Mary E. Stitely, age 89, of Oskaloosa passed away Wednesday evening, May 24, 2006, at Pleasant Park Estates nursing home in Oskaloosa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday morning at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bob Dean of the Central United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery.

Visitation will begin after 9:00 a.m. Friday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to greet relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Mary Elizabeth Stitely, daughter of Ralph Orlando and Mary Jane Bonnichsen Burrier, was born January 29, 1917, and spent her youth in rural Mahaska County, near Cedar.

She was a 1935 graduate of Fremont High School. March 10, 1936, she and Edgar Roy "Mike" Stitely were married in Ottumwa, Iowa.

They began their life together in Oskaloosa, where Mike worked with his father at Stitely Repair Shop and Mary became active in the community. She and Mike built their sandstone home on C Ave. West in 1950, and she resided there until three weeks ago. She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for many years and Director of the Girl Scout Camp for several years. She was a charter member of Oskaloosa Toastmistress Club, a charter member of Sac & Fox Lapidary Club and a Past President, a member of the Oskaloosa Rifle & Pistol club. She was a member of the Oskaloosa Chapter No. 146, Order of Eastern Star, having been Worthy Matron in 1964, and again in 1982. She belonged to Harrold White Shrine, serving as Worthy High Priestess in 1964. She was an active member of Netaker Temple, Daughters of the Nile in Des Moines. Mary opened the Rock and Shell Shop, originally located on A Ave. East and later relocated to the Stitely Block Building on A Ave. West; the business dealt in rocks, shells and antiques. She was a licensed appraiser in the Mid-Am Appraiser Association, holding a Class A license. As shown by her shop and memberships, Mary loved cutting and polishing rocks and making jewelry, a hobby she enjoyed with her husband. She and Mike also enjoyed traveling and camping.

Her family includes a daughter, Pat A. (Larry) Ancell of Leighton, IA; a son, John A. Stitely of St. Paul, MN; and three grandchildren, Thom Ancell of Ames; Jennifer Ancell of Rochester, MN; and John Ancell of Minneapolis, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mike on Feb. 14, 1976; an infant son, who died at birth; two sisters; and six brothers.