Mary F. Keay

Born to Louie G. & Edith Pauline (Craig) Stout in Ramsey, Illinois on June 16, 1939. Lived in the Sandwich, Little Rock, and the Plano area for most of her life. Peacefully passed on to her heavenly life on Monday, August 24, 2026. She was 87 years old. 

Mary Florence worked at Plano Molding in Plano, IL for many years, starting when she was a teen and met her husband Ron there. In the 1970’s, while a young mother of 4, she also worked a second job as a server at the Harvester Inn in Plano and at Leisure Oaks in Plano. After leaving Plano Molding, she worked at Remline in Yorkville until retiring in 2004. 

True to her busy nature, after retirement she went to work for the City of Plano and worked at the Plano Train Depot from 2009-2025. She loved getting out of the house and interacting with the many travelers passing through. In this job she had a front-row seat each day during the filming of Superman, “Man of Steel.” She delighted in waiving to Henry Cavill (Superman) each day, and seeing him return the waive.

Never one to sit still for long she could be found mowing her 1+ acre lawn on her John Deere mower, gardening, and snow blowing until she was over 80 years old. Hard work was her hobby until her back and leg pain slowed her down. 

Always a kind word for everyone and would happily sacrifice her own comfort for the comfort of others. In recent years, her pain kept her from doing many of the things she loved, but she would still manage to make it to work almost every day. She loved to work, shop, try new restaurants, take road trips with her daughter and son-in-law, and most of all spending holidays with her family; especially Christmas.

She is survived by daughters Phyllis (Guy) West, Sugar Grove; Karen Hoyle, Spencer, Iowa; son, Kevin (Jill) Keay, Plainfield, IL; Fifteen grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and brother, David (Diana) Stout, Plano, IL.

Preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ronald E. Keay; daughter, Rhonda Brooks; granddaughter, Laura Yunger; brothers, Norman Stout, Joe Stout, Bobby Stout; sisters, Veda Stout, and Judy Draeger. 

Though Mary Florence’s smile is gone forever and your hand we cannot touch, we still have many memories of the one we loved so much. Your memory is our keepsake, with which will never part. God has you in His keeping, we have you in our hearts. Sadly missed, but never forgotten. May she rest in peace, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew her. 

Visitation and service to be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026 from 2-5 p.m., at Beverage Funeral Home at 104 Terry St., Sandwich, IL 60548. Private burial to take place at the West Serena Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com 

May she forever walk and work pain-free in heaven.