Mary Jane Margis, 86, of Belvidere, IL died peacefully, Friday, April 18, 2014 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center after a short illness.  Mary was born December 31, 1927 in Castle Rock Township, Wisconsin, the daughter of Gustane and Emma (Prohaska) Nowak.  She married James L. Margis on April 14, 1956 in Castle Rock Township, WI.  Mary retired from the Belvidere Junior High School in 1989 where she was the baker.  Mary was a devoted parishioner of St. James Catholic Church where she was involved with the Catholic Daughters, helping with Bingo and funeral luncheons.  Mary was a volunteer with the Welcome Wagon in Belvidere and in later years enjoyed playing golf.  Mary was a spectacular seamstress, enjoyed playing Euchre with her family and Pinochle with her card club.  Mary also enjoyed gardening, canning and of course baking.

Mary is loved and will be missed by her husband, James; children, David (Diana) Margis of Montfort, WI, Cindy (Brian) Hodges of Belvidere, Sandy (Todd) Fleming of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren, Angela Margis, Melany Margis, Ashely Hodges, Annette Hodges, Bailey Fleming, Allison Fleming; sisters, Bernadette Cummings of Fennimore, WI, Alberta Sullivan of Madison, WI, Rita Edge of Montfort, WI, Evelyn "Pat" Nowak of Grafton, WI; brothers, Jim Nowak of Milwaukee, WI, Joe (JoAnn) Nowak of Marion, KS.  Mary is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Anthony, George and Thomas.

Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2014 in Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL with Rev. John Earl of St. James Catholic Church celebrating.  Burial will be in St. James Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014 at the funeral home with Rosary at 8:00 p.m.  Memorials can be given in care of the Catholic Daughters or the building fund of St. James Catholic Church in Mary's memory.