Mary Sophia Ireland

Mary Sophia Ireland, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully after a full and wonderful life on the evening of Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the age of 90. She was born to John Page and Virginia Lee Weisinger on September 6, 1934, in Quincy, Illinois.

Mary grew up in a close, loving family. Her father was in the U.S. Air Force, and because of that, the family traveled throughout the United States. She and her brother Merle attended schools in South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Alaska. Among her fondest memories were skiing on Mt. Rainier, traveling the Yukon, and spending summers on her grandparents’ farm in Barry, Illinois, reconnecting with an extensive number of aunts and uncles and cousins. She loved her parents and brother fiercely and at each one's passing, missed them dearly all the rest of her life.   

Mary’s family lived in Miami, Oklahoma, when she met Ray E. Ireland, and they were united in marriage on July 12, 1952, and were married for 30 years and 9 months, until Ray’s passing.

Mary’s life will be defined by unwavering devotion to her role as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as to her faith and her community.

Mary was a kind, compassionate, and strong woman dedicated to serving her community and her church and caring for those in need. Her love for her family, friends, and her Lord and Savior was deep and abiding and her presence was a true blessing to all who knew her, most importantly lifting others up through her prayers.

Mary was employed by Missouri Public Service, Utili-Corp United, where she was named the first woman District Manager in the history of the company. She retired in 1998 after 31 years of service. She served on the Board of Directors of National Women in Energy, the Board of Directors of Chamber of Commerce, Nevada Area Economic Development Commission, appointed by the Governor of the State of Missouri to serve on the Missouri Family Trust. In addition, Mary served as Mayor of Nevada from 1998 to 2002, received Woman of Distinction Award from Nevada Soroptimist International, served as an officer in Dianas MFWC, was a life-long and faithful member of the United Methodist Church, where she served on the board and taught Sunday School for 17 years, served as president of the United Methodist Women, and was a member of the Women’s Prayer Shawl Group.

Mary was a proud member of the Nevada Rotary Club, where she had served as president and was honored with the Paul Harris Award. She was a past board member of Girl Scouts Ozark Council and was the recipient of the council’s Woman of Distinction Award. Mary also served as president and a member of the Board of Directors of YMCA, past board member of United Way, the Vernon County Salvation Army, and the Vernon County Mental Health Board.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory, 3 daughters, Jana Rae Ireland & husband, Mike, of Nevada, Missouri, Mary Jo Easterday & husband, Paul, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jean Page Ireland, of Nevada, Missouri; 1 son, John M. Ireland, of Moore, Oklahoma; 8 grandchildren, Caleb Brown, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Lindsay Lawrence & husband, Alec, of Plain City, Ohio, Mary Lauren Bigham & husband, Jim, of Plain City, Ohio, Victoria Krohn & husband, Stephon, of Moore, Oklahoma, 2ndLt Johnathon Ireland USMC, of Quantico, Virginia, Benjamin Sommer, of Moore, Oklahoma, Matthew Sommer & wife, Sydney Claire, of Oklahoma City, and Haley Mae Ireland, of Moore, Oklahoma;10 great-grandchildren, Shea and Abigail Brown, Robert Scott, Sean, and Seth Lawrence, Michael Bigham, Turner, Emilia, James, and Lynlee Krohn.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John & Virginia Weisinger; her beloved husband, Ray E. Ireland; brother, Merle Weisinger; and nephew, Michael Wayne Weisinger.

Mary will be remembered with love, gratitude, and admiration for her remarkable life of faith, service, and dedication to her family and community.

Family suggests contributions to the United Methodist Church, 500 South College, Nevada, MO 64772, in Mary’s memory.

Serving as pallbearers, Caleb Brown, 2ndLt Johnathon Ireland USMC, Benjamin Sommer, Matthew Sommer, Stephon Krohn, Mark Mendenhall, Lee Mendenhall and Bill Denman. Serving as honorary pallbearers, Paul Easterday, Mike Smith, Alec Lawrence, and Jim Bigham.

Friends may call from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Ferry Funeral Home, located at 301 S. Washington, Nevada, Missouri. Family will receive friends, from 12:00 PM-1:00 PM, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church, located at 500 S. College St., Nevada, Missouri, with Pastor Michelle Whitlock officiating. The funeral service will begin immediately following at 1:00 PM. Private graveside burial rites will follow at the Newton Burial Park, in Nevada, Missouri.

Services under the direction of the John M. Ireland and Son Funeral Home & Chapel, Moore, Oklahoma and Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Missouri