Mrs. Birk worked at Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville, IL, before her retirement. She had a passion for animals and volunteered at the Belleville Area Humane Society. Mary was an avid reader and enjoyed her book club gatherings. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, William T. Ogden; her mother, Dorothy A., nee Woltering, Tosto; a brother, William “Bill” Ogden; and her father-in-law, Karl Birk.
Surviving are her husband of 36 years, Steven J. Birk;
four children, Stephanie Birk (Dontrel Thompson),
Matthew Birk,
Ashley (Scott) Trainer,
and Sara (Russell) Konieczny;
five grandchildren, Kira and Carter Thompson,
Sophia and Hayden Trainer,
and Emerson Konieczny;
three brothers, Gery (Lorraine) Ogden,
Thomas Ogden, and Bruce Ogden;
her mother-in-law, Carol Birk-Woodrum,
brothers-in-law, David (Joyce) Birk,
Jeffrey (Erin) Birk,
and Gregory (Lauren) Birk;
a sister-in-law, Dianne Birk;
many nieces and nephews;
and her beloved animals, Winston, Stella, and Oliver.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Family Hospice or to the Belleville Area Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, October 18, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing will be observed.
Funeral: A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler and Fr. Michael Arockiam concelebrating.
According to Mary’s wishes, cremation services were held.