Mary Ellen Inman

Mary Ellen Smock Inman was born on July 8, 1942, in Murrayville, Illinois. She was raised by her grandparents, Troy and Lena Smock who preceded her in death. She graduated from Jacksonville high school in 1960. She was living in Mount Sterling and working in Quincy at Quincy Soybean. In June 1960, Mary Ellen and John met at Mason's Grill, which was just west of WGEM in downtown Quincy, all because John liked her backside. He thought the front was nice too. The next time they met, they went to Mom's Sugar Bowl, a little diner in downtown Quincy. They were married three months later on September 3, 1960, in Murrayville at the Murrayville Methodist Church. Mary Ellen's wedding bouquet of daisies was picked on the roadside. Of their short engagement, she said "Everyone will think I'm pregnant." because they were getting married so quickly, but she wasn't. Shortly after they were married, they both lost their jobs - John was working at Sears and Mary Ellen was working at Quincy Soybean. That did not stop them! Instead of sitting around worrying, they used Mary Ellen's unemployment check to take a trip to the Ozarks. Then, John started working at Gates Radio and Mary Ellen became a...[more]

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memaker. Their first apartment was at 8th and Spring, but soon moved to Trailer Town on N. 12th St. While living at Trailer Town, they had their first child, Michael, an infant son who died shortly after birth. Jeff was born in 1963 followed by Brian in 1965. From there they moved to 2627 Maine St., and their daughter Marcy was born in 1967. Mary Ellen proclaimed, "I'm done being pregnant." Mary Ellen was very involved with the kids' school that they were attending. She was a member of the PTA and was PTA president at Ellington school. She was a member of many service organizations like PEO and Altrusa to name a few. John and Mary Ellen met many lifelong friends while they attended Vermont Street United Methodist Church. In 1974, they opened a picture frame business, Inman's Frames and Things, on the back porch of their home on Christopher Court. The business steadily grew under Mary Ellen's guidance. It was in several locations, each time getting larger. Their final location was now known as Inman's Gallery at 501 Broadway. They closed their business in 2008 after 34 years. Owning and operating their business was one of her accomplishments of which she was the most proud. She was awarded the YWCA's Business Women of Achievement Award. Outside of her love for art, she loved to read...... and read and read and read and read. She had more books than you could count. She was quick to embrace the e-readers, and had five different Kindles and two other tablets. That way, she could always have one that was charged. In their retirement, John and Mary Ellen did go on a quest to find the best tenderloin in the Midwest. After extensive travels, they found the best tenderloin was right here in Quincy, at Kelly's. She enjoyed going out to dinner - Kelly's and Dunbelly were their favorites. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Troy and Lena Smock. An infant son, Michael, and an infant granddaughter, Maggie Inman. She is survived by her husband of 61 years John Inman. She's also survived by her children Jeff and his wife, Chris Inman of O'Fallon Missouri, Brian and his wife, Tia, of Quincy, Illinois, and Marcy and her husband, Randy Phillips of Camp Point. Grandchildren, Douglas, and his wife, Kristen Inman of Quincy, Illinois, Molly Inman of O'Fallon, Missouri, Josh Inman of O'Fallon, Missouri, Jacob Inman and his wife, Aurora of Beaverton, Oregon, Chloe Inman of Ocoee, Florida. Step-grandchild, Jacob Albers. Two great-grandchildren, Hayden and Jace Inman of Quincy. It was Mary Ellen's wish not to have a visitation or a funeral service. She didn't want any flowers or plants or food sent over to the house. She requests that everyone would just love each other. Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.