Mary Jolene Dingrando

Mary Jolene (Odum) Dingrando MARION-Mary Jolene (Odum) Dingrando, 82, of Marion passed away at 1:00 PM, Friday, February 13, 2009 at Parkway Manor in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Dr. Bob Wagner officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of the service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Marion Second Baptist Church, American Cancer Society or American Heart Association; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Jolene was born on January 8, 1927 in Marion to Joseph R. and Martha Elizabeth “Mattie” (Bearden) Odum. She married George E. Dingrando on September 9, 1960 in Murphysboro; together they enjoyed 46 years of marriage. In those years she loved and was loved by his family who accepted her as one of their own. A relationship she treasured. He passed away on February 17, 2002. Survivors include several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Robbie Odum of Marion; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Irma Grace Parks; brothers, Joseph F. Odum and Troy H. Odum; and nephew, Troy Don Odum. Jolene accepted Christ as her Savior in July of 1957 while reading her Bible. She is a long time member of Second Baptist church in Marion, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and various other positions. She retired from General Telephone in 1977 after 33 years of distinguished service. God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around her and whispered “Come with me.”