Mary Ellen Tracy, 86, of Rochelle, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017 in DeKalb, IL. Mary Ellen was born August 19, 1930 to Clyde and Hattie (LeMar) Butler in Oregon, IL. She married Gerald Franklin Tracy on February 25, 1951 in Rochelle. Mary Ellen worked as a secretary for the superintendent at Rochelle Township High School for many years. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, on October 22, 2011. Mary Ellen was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church, a member and past regent of the D.A.R., and a member and past president of the P.E.O. She enjoyed researching genealogy, antiquing, quilting and knitting, entertaining her family, and avidly reading. For twenty years, Mary Ellen and Jerry would spend part of the winter traveling across Florida collecting seashells.

Mary Ellen is survived by her four children: Susan (Thomas) Hillison of Rochelle, Bruce (Cindy Beckmann) Tracy of Overland Park, KS, Brian (Debbie) Tracy of Rockton, IL and Brent (Karen) Tracy of Rochelle; brother-in-law, Mike (Coleen) Tracy of Dyersville, IA; ten grandchildren: Krista (Zach) Finifrock and Scott Hillison, Alex, Greg and Claire Tracy, Sara (Michael) Barnhart, Stephen Tracy, Adam (Kari) Tracy, Eric (Rachel) Tracy and Evan (Alyssa Sebree) Tracy; 5 great-grandchildren: Issac, Reuben, Josiah and Silas Barnhart and Jackson Tracy.

The visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral will be at 10 A.M., Saturday, April 1 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Calvin Road, Rochelle with Pastor Doug Forsberg and Rev. Dr. James Tilley officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle. Memorials may be made in Mary Ellen's memory to the First Presbyterian Church. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.