Mary Virgiline (Russell) Straughan

Mary Virgiline (Russell) Straughan of Bourbon Missouri was born November 15, 1928 in Loughboro, Missouri, to Walter and Zora (Smith) Russell and passed away January 9, 2024 at the age of 95.

Mary was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Straughan in Farmington, Missouri on August 12, 1951. To this union, a son, David Eugene Straughan, was born.

The majority of her employment was spent as a church secretary: Fourteen years at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ellisville, Missouri and eleven years at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Missouri.

Mary was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Bourbon, Missouri for 33 years. She served as Congregational Secretary for two three-year terms, a member of the Ladies Aid and Alter Guild during these years. In addition to volunteer work, she enjoyed living in the country, bird watching, keeping a flock of hens and ducks, reading, taking care of three dogs and four cats and maintaining a vegetable garden. Mary often said she had the best neighbors possible; they were so friendly and helpful.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Zora Russell, her husband Donald, three brothers: Elva Russell, Claude Russell, Leeman Russell and their spouses; three sisters: Pauline January, Geraldine Aldrich, Nadine Matthews and their spouses; four nephews: Bud (Claude, Jr.), Don Russell, Dean Russell, and Richard Russell.

She is survived by son David and his wife Trish, one granddaughter, Ashlee Hinson (Sean) and two great-grandsons, Kyle Wilson & Liam Hinson, other relatives and friends.

Services will be 1:00 PM, Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, MO with Pastor John Roach officiating.  Interment will follow at Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, MO.

Visitation will be 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be given in Mary’s memory to the Concordia Lutheran Church Ladies Aid.

Friends may share condolences online with Mary’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan, MO.