Mary Louise Deters

Mary Louise Deters, of Fulton, formerly from St. Clement, was greeted by her heavenly family on November 30, 2016. She was the beloved daughter of Leo B. and Martha Miller Deters and cherished sister of Janie Deters Haley. As a child Mary attended St. Clement grade school and graduated from St. Mary's Academy, O'Fallon, in 1970. While at St. Mary's she performed in the play "Up The Down Staircase" was an active member in the concert choir and won the Citizenship contest for her essay "What's Right With America". Mary was the world's biggest fan of Diet Coke and a massive pop-culture influencer buying her nephews their first albums, turning them on to Toto and Styx with her 8-track player, sharing her comics and taking them to the movies (like the opening night of Star Wars at the State Theater in May of 1970). Mary was an ardent reader and a big fan of mop top haircuts, likely due to her prolific and lifelong love affair with The Beatles. She had an extensive vinyl record collection but didn't stop there as she maintained an enormous assortment of coins and stamps as well. When she wasn't working, caring for her beloved dog Blackie or spending time with friends, Mary spent her time helping others as a member of the Fulton Host Lions Club. She is survived by her sister, Janie, and her favorite brother-in-law Jack Haley of Troy; her nephews, Darryl (Marlee) of Grand Rapids, Mich., David (Angela) of Nashville, Tenn., Ryan (Kathleen) of Sterling, Va.; great-nieces and nephews, Kenzie, Corby, Ben, Mia, Joe and Alex Haley; as well as her aunt, Hilda Reed of Grand Rapids, Mich.; many cousins and her dear friends, Tom and Margaret Henline and Clyde Ward of Fulton. Mary's love for her family and friends was unquestioned and always evident. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Martha, and grandparents, Herman and Mary Deters and Anton and Louise Miller. She will live forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Mary will be laid to rest alongside her parents at St. Clement Cemetery in a private burial to take place at a later date.