Age 80, formerly of Sandwich, Somonauk, Shorewood, Joliet, and Lockport, IL. She went to be with Jesus, passing from a seizure during the night while at work at home health care Sunday morning, May 29, 2022. At her request, her remains have been donated for research to The Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. Born in Olney, IL, she grew up and was schooled in Lockport, IL. Author, speaker, news correspondent, columnist, floral designer, beautician, office manager, philanthropist, and teacher—her passion for the written word and elderly care surpassed all. Published first at 14, her stories and articles appeared throughout the Midwest and in New York. Her books include "Celebrate 100/50/50" (private distribution), "Born to be a Star- Floating in a Galaxy of Hot Air Vol. I.," "The Monster Within," "Terrors and Travels," "Born to be a Star-Still Floating in Hot Air, Vol. II.," and her latest work, "The Ghosts of F.S. Allen". She spent her later years caring for the sick and elderly, writing, and facilitating a writers' group. Her mission in life was to spread God's truth and to encourage the troubled to express themselves through the written word. She believed an understanding of self leads to a deeper relationship with God. She often stated, "The most important thing I learned was that we cannot earn heaven by our suffering, prayer, and acts of kindness. Salvation is a gift to be pursued through the Bible, His Word. Christ paid the price for our wrongdoings when he shed His blood. We only need to surrender all and admit we are sinners." Preceded in death by her husband, Michael James Aschenbrenner (1998); her mother, Marian C. Shoemaker (1999); her father, Ernest A. Shoemaker (1965). She is survived by one son Michael E. (Stephanie) Aschenbrenner of Mesa, AZ and two daughters Amy Engstrom (Mark) of Somonauk, IL and Janet Egdorf of Colorado Springs, CO. Seven grandchildren also survive, David and Matthew Aschenbrenner, Hailey (David) DiGrazia and Quin Engstrom, and Rachel (Joseph) Gerber, Jaclyn, and Jay Egdorf. She is also survived by two sisters Freda Bertagnoli, of Joliet IL and Lois Larsen of San Mateo, CA. A sister-in-law Rosella Shiner of Joliet also survives as do numerous nieces and nephews. "My friends-When I think of you, my heart is filled with gratitude for your being. The miracle of my good fortune is that in this world of many groups of people and covering many periods of time, we have discovered each other. This has been my good fortune. Thank you for being in my life." Mary Ellen Come celebrate Mary Ellen's life with us at a memorial visitation from 9-11am, Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Marseilles First Baptist Church, 555 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61314. Service will follow at 11am. Mary Ellen loved bright colors and fancy jewels, so please dress festively, as you feel led