Mary Beth Bushnell

SPRINGFIELD, IL -Mary Beth Bushnell, 59, of rural Salisbury, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2014, at 3:26 pm at St. John’s Hospital.

Mary Beth was born on July 16, 1954 in Lincoln, IL the daughter of Doris and George Hoepfner, who preceded her in death. She was the youngest of four sisters; Janice Loeffelholz of Palmetto, Florida, Nancy Miller of Mahomet, IL and Alice (Sam) Madonia of Springfield (all surviving).

She is survived by her husband, James Bushnell, her daughter Jaime (fiancé Drew) and numerous nieces and nephews. On September 22, 1979 she married the love of her life, Jim, in Springfield, Illinois. Their only child, Jaime, was born in 1985. After a few years, they said goodbye to city life and bought a house with acreage in the country. The Bushnell house, known as The Funny Farm, was never empty of animals; a wide variety including horses, llamas, goats, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, degus, and even an opossum.

Mary’s true passion in her recent years was rescuing pit bulls. She was personally responsible for the incarceration of two animal abusers. She enjoyed reading novels, laying out in the pool, camping and listening to music on the porch while surrounded by family and friends.

She functioned in many roles at the Illinois State Police and retired after 35 years of service. In retirement, she wrote for the St. Louis Examiner as a pet enthusiast.

Mary had an old soul which was immediately apparent to all who knew her. Even complete strangers would come up to her and tell her their life stories. Many stray animals were attracted to the Bushnell property, probably for the same reason. Her sense of humor and laughter will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Memorial Gathering: 4 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 4th, 2014, at Staab Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 5th, 2014, at Staab Funeral Home with Pastor Kreston Lipscomb officiating.

Memorial contributions toward her greatest passion, the Villalobos Rescue Center, would be greatly appreciated.