Prairie State Wire

Mary Bigham, 102, of Wilmington, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at her residence.

Born on January 9, 1923 in Pickneyville, Illinois, Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Mesh and Ann Hale. She married Elvis Roston Bigham in Cape Girardeau, Missouri during the Summer of 1940. Mary and Elvis later relocated to Wilmington where they raised her family. She worked independently as a hairdresser and was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. Mary was a devoted wife and mother, and in her spare time she expressed herself through artistic works and crafting. She also was a gifted quilter, making many quilts over the years for family and friends, and even tried her hand at writing. Survivors include her two children: Steven (Denise) Bigham of St. Eustache, Montreal, Canada, and Paula (Robert) Cooper of Wilmington; four grandchildren: Ross (Christine) Cooper of Athens, Illinois, Andy Cooper, of Wilmington, Emilie Bigham – Desroches (Eric Philbert) of Canada, Benoit Bigham – Desroches of Canada; one great grandchild: Alexis Philbert of Canada; two sisters in law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elvis; and one grandson, Etienne.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington where Mary will be laid to rest with her husband.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Mary’s memory to Uplifted Care Hospice in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Mary's tribute page via social media

Funeral arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Bigham, please visit our flower store.

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