29 October 2007 Danville News Gazette Danville, Illinois *News-Gazette, The (Champaign-Urbana, IL)* - October 29, 2007 Deceased Name: Mary Cookus DANVILLE - Mary Ellen "Cookie" Cookus, 80, of Danville passed away at 8:51 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, Danville. Mary Ellen was born on April 22, 1927, in Mount Carmel, the daughter of Francis P. and Abby J. (Drake) Gogerty. She married Donald J. Cookus on Aug. 31, 1947, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Danville. He preceded her in death on April 5, 1978. Mary Ellen is survived by four children, Nancy Jo Cookus of Topeka, Kan., Gary Cookus of Shellsburg, Iowa, Cathy (Cliff) Kinnaman of Rochester, Wash., Jon Kirby (Janet Gill) Cookus of Danville; three grandchildren, Casey, Carey and Randi; four nephews; and five nieces. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Gregory; and two brothers, Francis J. and Donald E. Gogerty. Mary Ellen graduated from Danville High School in 1945. She was a homemaker, a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Camel Club, American Legion Post 210 Auxiliary and Numismatist News. She enjoyed collecting coins, going to flea markets, driving around in her car, playing cards with special friends and family. She particularly enjoyed being "Grandma Cookie" in her granddaughter Randi's sporting community. A memorial Mass of Resurrection for Cookie, officiated by Father Gregory Nelson, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Danville, followed by a luncheon celebrating Cookie's life at the Motsett Center, 106 W. Voorhees, Danville. A private burial will be at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Danville. Memorials may be made in Mary Ellen's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Arrangements are entrusted to Sunset's Community and Life Tribute Center. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. *News-Gazette, The (Champaign-Urbana, IL)* Date: October 29, 2007 Edition: 1 star - 2 star Page: A-4 Record Number: 11CB0ED4C20D8EF8 Copyright, 2007, The Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.