Mary Aileen Brooks left the earth peacefully at her home on February 13, 2022 surrounded by loving family as was her wish.  She was 99 years old, just 22 days shy of 100.  Sadly, the 100 ^th birthday celebration had to be cancelled.

Aileen was born in Murphysboro, IL on March 8, 1922, to the late Ardell and Hattie ( new Brewer ) Ellis.  She married Curtis L. Brooks on July 2, 1938 and were together for 57 years before his death in 1995.  Together they had three daughters.

In 1948 Aileen and Curt established themselves in Centreville Township where they were founding members of Post #784 of the American Legion, both having been President of the Legion and Auxiliary respectively. During the early and mid-1950's, as sponsored by the Legion, they held the weekly "teen town" dubbed Ti-Ganchee.  That was the "sock hop" with live bands for the high schoolers from the Cahokia HS Comanches and the Dupo HS Tigers.  They also actively worked to assist in the establishment of the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department, now known as the Camp Jackson Fire Department.

In the early years she worked but most notably during the war she operated Brooks Confectionary while her husband was serving in WWII.  Aileen and Curt owned and operated the Brooks A&W Root Beer franchise from 1958 – 1968.  After that she dedicated herself to her family.

She was a devoted reader of the Bible. She loved her flowers and inherited a green thumb.  She loved to travel, work puzzles and do craftwork, but most of all she loved her family, all six generations.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and two sisters; a daughter, Carolyn B. Brown; three grandchildren:  James E. DuVall, Timothy L. DuVall and Terrie L. Brown; and one great-grandchild, Eric M. Bird.

Those that remain to cherish her memory are two daughters:  E. Kay DuVall and Diana L. Brooks (Tom Kanzler) both of Collinsville, IL; sons-in-laws, H. Douglas Brown and Thomas Kanzler; one sister, Clara Rose Mifflin; two grandchildren:  Randall C. Brown (John Martinelli) and Cynthia K. Bodimer (Benjamin E. Bodimer); six great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; three great-great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and their offspring – children and grandchildren; and extended family members, Dave and Marge Crockarell of Edwardsville, IL.

Visitation will be 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL and 10 – 11 am. on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the funeral home.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jim Robinson officiating.  Burial will be Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

Aileen held veterans close to heart and supported several organizations.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation or to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.