Mary Ruby Simbro, 76, of Reasnor, died Tues-day, Feb. 2, 2021, at her home. A funeral service was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory, Newton. Memorials can be made to the Reasnor Fire Department or the Reasnor Park Fund.
Mary, the daughter of John M. and Ruby Dora (Marshall) Slykhuis, was born Feb. 18, 1944, in Knoxville. As a young girl, her family lived at Red Rock before moving to Monroe. Mary graduated from Monroe High School in 1962. Oct. 5, 1962, Mary was united in marriage with Bernard Simbro in Monroe. They lived in Newton for a short time before making their home in Reasnor. Mary cleaned homes for 44 years, retiring in 2020. She was a member of the Reasnor United Methodist Church and was part of the first group of individuals serving on the board of directors of the Jasper County Animal Rescue League. Mary loved flower gardening and baking. She was known in the area for her Christmas treats and candy and her famous Halloween popcorn balls. Mary also cleaned at the church for many years and lovingly decorated there for the different seasons, including picking flowers from her own garden to put in the entryway. Most importantly though, Mary was a doting grandmother.
Mary is survived by her children Stacy (Dana) Simbro of Newton, Tresa (Robert) Miller of Newton, and Marcy (Steve) Woodhouse of Reasnor; grandchildren Elizabeth Simbro and Sean Simbro; sister Martha (Jim) Atteberry of Pella; brother-in-law Elbert Van Gorp of Pella; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bernard; sister Shirley Van Gorp; brother John Slykhuis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Clifford and Pat Simbro; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Coralee and Eldon Marshall.
