Mary M. Bard

Shawneetown - Mary M. Bard died April 12, 2007 at Fountain View Nursing Home in Eldorado, IL. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella. Mary Melba Bard (McCristal) was born in Sydney, Australia on November 18, 1923 to John Patrick McCristal and Emily Muriel Kelly. During World War II, she became acquainted with Milent Russell (Ike) Bard, an American soldier stationed in Sydney. They were married in Sydney, Australia on November 10, 1945. At age 22, leaving family, friends and her homeland, she came to East Prairie, MO to start a family. She is survived by her loving family; four daughters and three son-in-laws, Denise & Al White of Chesapeake, VA, Karen and James Keasler of Ridgway, IL, Diane Graves of Champaign, IL, and Cecilia and Mark Wilson of Bussey, IA; two sons and two daughters-in-laws, Bruce and Linda Bard of Kinder, LA and Richard and Pamela Bard of Marion, IL; thirteen grandchildren, LaDawn Febuary Avis (Scott) , Julie and David Graves, Brian White (Nicole), Kris, Ryan and Brad Kilmer, Abigail and Kallie Keasler, Katie and Drew Wilson and James and Michael McLachlan; two great granddaughters, Adrienne White and Madeline Avis; two great grandsons, Jack White and Michael Duke Avis; two sisters,Valma Mavis and Dorothy Grace Musgrave of Australia. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Milent R. "Ike" Bard, one brother, Frederick Thomas McCristal and three sisters, Muriel Agnes Boag, Kathleen Edwards, and Hilda Marjorie Stratford of Australia. Visitation will be at the Vickery Funeral Home in Shawneetown from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 4/13 with the Prayer Service at 7 p.m. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 4/14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown with burial at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Donations may be made to VNA Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.