Mary Louise Garber Dimas, age 90, went into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 10, 2018. She went peacefully while surrounded by her loving family. From the time of her birth on June 29, 1927 to her passing, she filled those around her with love, kindness, and most importantly, her faith. She was born in Freeport, Illinois to George and Louise Garber, and was the middle child of three. She graduated from high school in 1944 and went on to attend William Jennings Bryan College in Dayton, TN and Wheaton College before entering nursing school at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, IL.
On June 21, 1950, the first day of summer, while on a trip with friends to the Lincoln Park Zoo, she met Johnnie Alexander Dimas in front of the famous Bushman's cage. They quickly fell in love and got married six months later on December 21, 1950, the first day of winter. That marriage, which was one of much love and devotion, lasted 67 years. During that time, she gave birth to seven children; two girls and five boys. Her children will remember her as the greatest woman they have ever known. She was loving, gentle, kind, and above all else, she loved the Lord deeply, it was a love that saturated all areas of her life. Mary loved spending time with her family, always offering food whenever she could, or teaching her hobbies to others, such as knitting, playing piano, gardening or baking. Most importantly, she gave life lessons always focused on scripture to everyone, especially those she loved. She will be deeply missed by her family and loved ones, but they have confidence that they will be reunited again in Heaven.
Left behind to honor Mary by carrying on her faith and love is her beloved husband; her younger brother, David (Mariel)Garber; her children; Johnnie (Kimberly)Dimas, Jr., James (MaryBeth)Dimas, Jerald (Sandra)Dimas, Laura (Timothy)Gilbert, Joseph (Janice)Dimas, and Jeffrey (Anna)Dimas; 23 adoring grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren (with 2 yet to be born), and 2 great great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her father (George Henry Garber) and mother( Louise Garber) ; her sister, Marguerite "Peg" (Garber)McBride; her daughter, Linda (Dimas)Collins and her grandson, James Collins, Jr.
Services will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 4p to 8p and Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 11am.