Mrs. Mary Jane Behrends, 93, of Kincaid, formerly of the Peoria-Pekin area, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Rural Pekin on August 16, 1929 the daughter of Herman and Anna (Bleichner) Stauthammer, the youngest of 6 children.

She married Henry (Hank) Behrends on August 12, 1950 in Pekin.  They celebrated 65 years together before he passed away August 31, 2015.

Mary Jane graduated from Pekin High School in 1947.  Before her marriage, she worked as a telephone operator for Middle States Telephone Co. in Pekin.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Taylorville.  She enjoyed going to garage sales, quilting, reading and watching Illini basketball and football.  She made hand loomed rugs for over 30 years.

Mary Jane is survived by her children Nancy (Dana) McKinney of Taylorville, Dennis (Barb) Behrends of Kincaid, 7 grandchildren Heather (Aaron) Whetsell, Destiny (Scott) Herpstreith, Holly (Jeremy) Orr, Jennifer (David) Wayman, Rachel (Heath) Cunningham, Brad (Kayla) Behrends, and Lisa (Kyle) Durbin, 10 great grandchildren Mallory and Macey Westrick, Dominic and Isaac Orr, Laura, Julie and Matthew Wayman, Ava Herpstreith, Brooklyn and Braxton Behrends, sister Grace Durham, sisters-in-law Sandy Behrends, Joann Stauthammer, and numerous nieces and nephews all of the Peoria area.

She was preceded in death by her husband Hank, son Tedd Behrends, parents, sister Mae Bouchez,  brothers John, Bill and Louis Stauthammer and sisters-in-law Marg Kirkham, Ida Stauthammer and Pat Stauthammer.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Taylorville.  Funeral services will immediately follow at the church.  Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville.  Masterson Funeral Home in Kincaid is handling arrangements.  Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 N. Webster St., Taylorville, IL 62568