Mary Lou Dearing, age 77, of Jackson, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at Jenkins Care Community in Wellston. She was born June 2, 1942 in Coalton, Ohio to the late George Edward Denny, Sr. and Dora Osborne Denny. After the death of her father during WW II, Mary was raised by her mother and step-father, Raymond Rainer.
First and foremost in her life, Mary was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. In her earlier years, she was very active with her children’s school activities as a former member of Lick School PTA, as well as being a Boy Scout Den Mother. Mary, along with her husband, Ronnie, was the former owner of Oliver Steel in Jackson. Following Ronnie’s death in 1991, Mary kept the business running until it was sold several years later. She then continued to keep herself busy by working part-time at Engraving Plus Jewelry, RoMar Fabrication and then as the office manager at Jackson Monument Company, from where she retired. She was a former volunteer for Franciscan Meals on Wheels, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.
Mary was also a former active member of the Jackson Lioness Club and a longtime member of Hillside Chapel Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher and church treasurer for numerous years. She enjoyed playing Bunco, bowling, and in years past, going to Teays Valley Tractor Pulls. Mary was always up for a good road trip. She could always be counted on whenever anyone was in need; a caregiver to many and generous with her time. Throughout all of her volunteering and memberships, Mary was a breast cancer survivor of 31 years.
Mary is survived by her children, Wayne Dearing (Kristy) of Marysville, Sharon McWilliams (Tom) of Wellston, and Avonelle Sollars (Mike Coen) of Albany; grandchildren, Amanda Denney (Ron), Laura Oboczky (Steve), Justin Dearing, Josh McWilliams (Kayla), Lindsay Dearing, Chris Lyons, Stephen Sollars, Alex McWilliams (Audrey), Ryan Sollars (Megan), Neil Sollars, Brooke Sollars (Ashley), and Morgan McWilliams (Amber); brothers, George Denny, Jr. (Nora) and Ronnie Osborne; along with 17 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Besides her parents and step-father, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald W. Dearing, Sr.; daughter, Ladora Lyons; sister, Carolyn Skaggs; and brother, Terry Rainer.
Thinking of other’s health and safety at this time, Mary’s family has chosen to have a private funeral service Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston, with her longtime friend, Pastor Isabel Mullett officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillside Chapel Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com