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Mary Denny (Nixon) - Class Of 1966
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Mary J. Nixon 1947-2015
Mary Jane (Denny) Nixon, of Danville, Ill., formerly of Kingman and Lebanon, passed away April 10, 2015, at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis. She was a pioneer of open heart surgery in 1965 at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, at a time when there were only three hospitals in the United States performing them. By way of giving back, Mary had her corneas donated.
Born to the now late Lowell R. and Thelma (Ginn) Denny on Nov. 9, 1947, in Lebanon, Mary started school at Washington Township in Boone County. The family moved to Thorntown in 1956. She graduated from Thorntown High School in 1966.
Mary was married in 1965 in Thorntown to the now late Edwin Keith Price. They divorced in 1970. She married Larry Vestal and they later divorced. Her husband Richard Nixon preceded her in death in 2008.
Mary loved welding and worked for Estad Mfg, FMC and Master Guard. She also spent much of her time crocheting afghans and making Barbie doll clothes for her family and friends. At Easter she made special bunnies from water jugs, crocheted them, and filled them with goodies for family.
Surviving are three children, Kenneth Edward Price, Jennifer Marie Vestal and John Patrick Vestal, all of Danville, Ill.; three stepdaughters, Missy (Vestal) Smith, Rae Ann (Vestal) Smith and Rikki Nixon; one stepson, Rick Nixon Jr; eight grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Buddy (companion, Ginny Greene) Denny Sr. of Kingman; twin sisters, Roberta (Dave) Cornett of Frankfort and Alberta (Kenny) Burress of Lebanon; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and husband; a brother, Darrell Denny; and an infant niece.
Visitation is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Sanders Funeral Care, 203 S. 1st St., Kingman. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Sanders Funeral Care. Cremation was chosen.
In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Sanders Funeral Care to help with final expenses
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