Mary Viola Waldo was born March 2, 1929, on a farm near Almena, Kansas, in Norton County, to Tillman Joseph "T.J." and Bertha Fern (Caster) Eakins Taylor. She passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at the Decatur County Good Samaritan Center in Oberlin, Kansas, at the age of 83.

Mary spent her childhood in Atwood and Decatur County. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1947. While in high school, Mary worked at Addleman's Drug Store then began working as an operator for Southwestern Bell in 1947.

On August 3, 1949, Mary was united in marriage to Clifton Loyd Waldo in Denver, Colorado. They made their home in Oberlin until 1961 when they purchased the Walinder farm southwest of Oberlin.

When Mary and Loyd became parents, Mary retired and kept busy raising her daughters and being active in civic affairs. At various times in her life, she was associated with Girl Scouts of America, United Methodist Church Sunday School, Federation of Women's Club, Decatur County Hospice, Good Samaritan Advisory Board, Decatur County Health Advisory Board, and Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Zeta Nu Club, Calico Gals Club, and Order of Easter Star Chapter #106, for which she was a Past Matron.

Survivors include her two daughters and sons-in-law, Jana and Byron Oliver, of Raleigh, NC, and Susan and Michael Wright, of Lawrence; three step sisters, Dorothy Brown, Ruby Downing and Betty Jean Wicke, all of Atwood; two grandchildren, Bucky Joe Vernon and Allison Wright; one great-grandson, Brady Edward Loyd Vernon; in addition to other family members and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband Loyd on March 21, 2012; infant daughter, Jeri Dee Waldo; eight siblings, Gale, Glen, Gay, Bill, Robert, Gly, and Jessye Taylor and Gladys Taylor Monroe; three half-siblings, Vance Eakins, Marge Dewitt and Betty Hodges; and three step siblings, Ruth Havel, Bill Brown and Everett Brown.

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Oberlin. Rev. Tom Smith will officiate.

Burial: Oberlin Cemetery

Memorial Fund: Oberlin United Methodist Church

Visitation: Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home and Saturday from 8 a.m. until service time at the church