Mary Ruth Ater, 70, of Illiopolis, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Mary was born on December 30, 1945 in Columbus, OH the daughter of Lawrence and Viola Ballard.  She married James Arthur Ater; he preceded her in death.

She was a retired nurse and had worked in Florida and Illinois.  She loved sewing, knitting and quilting.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren and loved her dogs.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and one son, Lawrence Wesley Ater.

She is survived by son, Marvin Gene (Patsy Jean) Reebel; daughters, Lori Lee Detar, Toni Lynn (Ralph) Davidson, Stephanie Tierney-Ater and Teresa Gail Birk-Reebel; brother, Lance Campbell; sisters, Trudy (John) Lalley, Robin Hernandez, and Terri Olson; grandchildren, Stephanie (Shem) Smith, Bethany Sue (James Kirk) Anderson, Kimberly Dawn (Wil Wernsing) Reebel, T.J. and Sydney Ater, Rodney (Jeny Binkley) Herzner, Linda (Curtis Mosser) Herzner, Ryan, Brittany and Charity Card; great-grandchildren, Peyton and Madison Smith, Brycen and Carson Anderson, Wesley William Wernsing, Arus and Winry Mosser; and several  nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Camp Butler National Cemetery.