Mary Catherine Gerstenecker, age 82, lifelong resident of Troy, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2002 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. Mary Catherine was a member of the Troy United Methodist Church, where she and her husband, James, were married December 25, 1944. Mary Catherine earned her teaching certificate from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, a BA degree from McKendree College in Lebanon and a MA degree from SIU, Edwardsville. In 1939, she began her teaching career at Maple Grove School, a one-room schoolhouse in rural Troy. She also taught various elementary grades in the Triad School District, especially devoting her time as a Reading Specialist, teaching remedial reading under the Title I Program, which is a federally funded program, which Mary Catherine was instrumental in implementing in the Triad District. She retired from teaching in 1980, after 38 years of dedicated service. She also belonged to the Troy Woman's Club, Pin Oak Home Extension and was Secretary of the Oak Lawn Cemetery Board for many years. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Illinois Education Association and Madison County Retired Teachers Association. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, James; two daughters, Jana Gerstenecker of Collinsville, and Kay (John L.) Neudecker of Fulton, Missouri; and three grandchildren, Kelly, John James, and Daniel Neudecker, all of Fulton, Missouri.

Visitation: Monday, August 19, 2002 at Laughlin Funeral Home Chapel

Funeral Services: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at Troy United Methodist Church.

Interment: Friedens Cemetery, Troy

Memorials may be made to the Troy United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.