Mary Alice Wrone (nee Gano) passed away on May 1, 2024 of natural causes at Liberty Village in Clinton, Illinois.
Alice was born on November 7, 1935 in a rural Dewitt County farmhouse, to Ray Oakley and Oleta Mae (nee Eller) Gano. Emerging into the world three months premature, in the middle of an unseasonably early snow storm, she miraculously survived - due, in no small part, to her fierce force of will, as well as to the crude incubator her father cobbled together from a copper boiler and bricks heated on the stove.
An only child, Alice was nonetheless surrounded by companions in childhood – of both the human variety (most notably, the Thrasher kids, with whom she routinely patrolled Salt Creek timber) and the animal variety, including the lambs, calves, horses and chickens that populated the family's farm. She was a lifelong lover of cats. Chauncey, Willie Waterhead, Sam, Tripod, Cleo, and dozens of other outrageously spoiled felines are without doubt noisily purring as they reunite with their caregiver.
A 1953 graduate of Clinton High School, Alice married Robert Lynn Wrone, an Illinois Central Railroad brakeman and conductor, on March 20, 1955 in Lane Christian Church. They would have three children: Lisa Kaye (DeWitt County, Illinois) and twin boys, David Gano (University City, MO) and Steven William (Washington, D.C.).
Her husband preceded her in death in 1994. Her children survive, as does her cherished grandson, Robert James Gano Wrone, of St. Louis, MO.
A late-in-life companion, Bob Stearns - a fine and caring man - also preceded Alice in death.
Alice worked for many years at the Clinton Power Plant, having re-entered the work force after shepherding her off-spring into quasi-adulthood. There, as elsewhere, she was beloved and respected for her intelligence and sense of humor.
Following the untimely death of her husband, Alice re-established her bond with many childhood associates, and the Saturday night card games that ensued yielded thousands of hours of fellowship and recreation.
At her request, Alice will be cremated, with that service provided by Calvert Funeral Homes. A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com
