Mary Knevitt

November 17, 1945 - December 4, 2020

Mary Ann Knevitt, age 75, of Centralia, Illinois (formerly of Waukegan) passed away unexpectedly on December 4, 2020 in Mt Vernon, Illinois. Mary was born in Waukegan, Illinois. She grew up there and raised her family in Waukegan with the love of her life, Donald Knevitt, Sr. She worked for several years as a Certified Nursing Assistant on the Pediatric Unit at St. Therese Hospital, and also co-owned and operated Knevitt's Landscaping with her husband, Don. Among many volunteer roles and hobbies she enjoyed during those years, Mary loved bowling and served several terms as an officer for the “Waukegan Fire & Police Wives” Bowling League, and was also an active member of the Waukegan Moose Lodge. After her husband retired from the Waukegan Fire Department, Don and Mary sold their house in Waukegan and toured the country with a fifth-wheel, finally settling in southern Illinois. They owned and operated two restaurants before moving to Centralia, where they lived for many years. Mary was a member of the Centralia Moose Lodge, and their WOTM Chapter. Mary is survived by her daughter Patti (Terry) Leppala-Bardell; grandchildren, Erica Navarro, Matt Leppala, Brian Knevitt, and Michelle Knevitt; and her great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, John & Janet Marcinkus; sisters-in-law Doris Marcinkus & Shirley Leonowitz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. Knevitt, Sr; her son, Donald L. Knevitt, II; her mother, Antoinette Marcinkus; brothers, Robert Marcinkus and Joseph Leonowitz; aunt, Ann Marcinkus; and uncles, Nicholas, Peter, Ben and Frank Marcinkus, Sr. An online Celebration of Life is being arranged for late Spring or early Summer, and details will be shared with friends and family in the coming weeks. Interment will be private. Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, are honored to be of service to the Knevitt Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.