Catherine Mahr

Catherine "Kay" Barnes Brunson Mahr, 89, of Brandon, Florida and formerly of Arcola, IL passed away Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Hawthorne Health and Rehabilitation Center in Brandon, Florida.

Catherine was born September 7, 1918, in Arcola, IL. She was a daughter of A.J. and Lizzie (Steproe) Barnes. Her younger years were spent on the family farm in Arcola with sisters, Frances Rule and Ruth Reimer and her brother, Bennie Barnes. Even though Catherine and her first husband, Wayne Brunson, had no children, the couple dedicated much of their time mentoring young children through church affiliations. Several years after Wayne passed away from cancer, Catherine met retired Colonel Victor M. Mahr from Cape Coral, Fl. The couple married a few years later and Catherine was welcomed into a large family of five grown children and spouses, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Catherine is survived by her step-children Terri Hardeman, her husband Ron of Ruidoso, NM, Monte Mahr, his wife Patty of Seffner, FL, Becky Koukol, her husband Gary of Cleveland, OH, Kathie Taflinger, her husband Michael of Valrico, FL and Ken Mahr, his wife Carrie of West Palm Beach, FL. She is also survived by nephews Jack Barnes and his wife Patricia, of Arcola, IL, and Jim Reimer and his wife Judy of Shelbyville, IL a niece Patricia (Barnes) Fortney of Arcola, IL; cousins Jerry Steproe and his wife Cheryl and Pearl Leffler and several great-nieces, nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Wayne Brunson and Colonel Victor M. Mahr, one brother, Bennie Barnes, two sisters, Ruth Reimer and Francis Rule, a niece Eileen Welch and a great-nephew Benji Fortney.

Catherine enjoyed crafts, camping, boating, traveling, golfing, any type of card game and people. Catherine was also a Fifty Year Member of the Arcadia Chapter No 967 Order of the Eastern Star, Lansing, Il., a member of ABARA Court No. 80, Ladies Oriental Shrine, North America, Port Charlotte, Fl., a member of IVAH Shrine, No. 26 Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Ft. Myers, Fl. and a member of TAB'ITHA Temple, No. 135, Daughters of the Nile, Ft. Myers, Fl.