Mary Lou (Carter) Gareis

 Mary Lou Gareis, 85, formerly of Prosperity and Sigel, died Sunday, April 24, 2016, in Country Meadows, Bridgeville, surrounded by her family.

She was born March 1, 1931, in the village of Sauerkraut, Luzerne Twp., Fayette County, a daughter of Walter Carter Sr. and Thelma McClure Carter.

Mrs. Gareis was a 1950 graduate of Cecil High School.

She was a member of Venice United Presbyterian Church and Ladies Auxiliary of Cecil Volunteer Fire Department.

Mrs. Gareis had worked at the former RCA in Canonsburg.

Mary Lou was an avid reader and loved painting, drawing and photography.  Her one regret was not going to art school. 

Her passion was her family.  She always remembered everyone and their special days with gifts that always showed her humor and wit.

On September 5, 1953, she married John A. Gareis, who died May 10, 2001.

Surviving are: a daughter, Kathryn L. Funk (Dean) of Austell, GA; three sons, Jon W. Gareis and Robbie A. Gareis (Traci) both of Prosperity and Patrick G. Gareis (Stephanie) of Sigel; six grandchildren, Kristen, Robbie Jr., Maxwell, Bella, Mariah and Ruby Gareis; two great grandchildren, Riley and Owen; two sisters, Dorotha “Dot” Carothers of McDonald and Patricia Guta of Stockbridge, GA; three brothers, Gene Carter (Pearl) of McDonald, Larry Carter (Geraldine) of Southview and Donaldson Carter (Carolyn) of Cecil; and many nieces and nephews.  She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Deceased are: four sisters, Thelma “Sis” Zimmerman, Lorena Brigich, Sandy Kolarosky and Ruby Mae Carter, who died in infancy; and three brothers, Walter Jr. “Junie”, Milton “Bud” and Gerald “Tubby” Carter.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm Tuesday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342.  Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Venice United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Gary Chorpenning officiating.  Interment will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Hickory.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.

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