Mary Ellen McGuire January 15, 1929-February 6, 2025

Mary Ellen McGuire, nee Duntemann, 96, of Des Plaines, IL died peacefully at home on February 6th. Mary Ellen was born on January 15, 1929 to parents Elvin and Ila Duntemann of Orchard Place, IL. Mary Ellen married Thomas "Mickey" McGuire on October 18, 1952 and together they raised 6 children - Mary-Kate (Pat) Cota, Daniel (Libby Giovanni) McGuire, James McGuire, Thomas McGuire, Anne (Chuck) McGuire, and Maggie (Jim) Didier.

One of the last living residents of Orchard Place, she was extremely proud of her deep roots and an amateur historian, belonging to the Des Plaines Historical Society for many years. She deeply cherished memories of her parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors from their days in Orchard Place. Though she resided in her childhood home for the last 40 years, from 1954-1981 she raised her family in a home two doors away built by her grandparents in 1891. The home once served as Orchard Place's General Store and Post Office.

Mary Ellen enjoyed spending as much time as she could at her ancestral farm in Harpers Ferry, Iowa. She never strayed away from a little adventure whether it was a train ride, an antique store, exploring a town with nothing more than a tavern and a post office, or long car rides through the countryside.

After her years as a stay-at-home mom, Mary Ellen had a 15-year career working for an optometrist, followed by many years providing childcare in District 62, continuing to work until she was well into her 80s. She also dedicated much of her life in the later years to her grandchildren - Kathryn (Will) Carroll, David McGuire, Kristine (Craig) Radke, Thomas (Tara) Didier, Kate (Kieran) O'Brien and Joseph Didier. As well as her 4 great-grandchildren Thomas, Edward, Margaret, and Charlotte. She greatly treasured their time together. Mary Ellen was also a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Mickey, and her sons, Daniel, James, and Thomas, her brother John Duntemann, and her sister Elizabeth "Jane" St. Germain.

Visitation will be Monday, February 10, 2025, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the G. L. Hills Funeral Home 745 Graceland Ave. Des Plaines, IL  60016. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Our Lady of Hope Mission 9711 W. Devon Ave. Rosemont, IL 60018. Interment following in Town of Maine Cemetery Park Ridge, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carmelite Monastery, 949 North River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016 or the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60607 or https://donate.mercyhome.org/page/114309/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=23M73WB009 . Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home. For more information, please call (847) 699-9003.