Mary Bing Obituary

Longtime LaGrange area resident Mary Williams Koehlinger Bing passed away peacefully while surrounded by family in her recent home in Lenexa, KS on Wed. June 10.A graduate of Lyons Township High School (1947), Mary married Eugene "Huey" Koehlinger in 1949. Together, they built their own home and a family silk screening business while raising 4 beloved children. They were happily married for 43 years when Mr. Koehlinger passed away. During her lifetime, Mary was involved in a variety of activities. She served as a community activist trying to get city water and sidewalks for unincorporated parts of LaGrange. She was an active volunteer in the schools, and served Camp Fire Girls, Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America in leadership roles. Mary was also a Stephen Minister for the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange. Mary was also an avid Bridge player, which allowed her to make lifelong friends from many different avenues. She was also an adventurer, going white water rafting in Alaska with her eldest daughter. Mary was blessed to find love a second time around when she married Richard Bing, Indian Head Park, in 2000. They enjoyed their time traveling and collecting art before Mr. Bing passed away in 2003. Mary was a friend to all who knew her. She lived her life with a warm heart and a gentle spirit up until the day she passed. She was beloved by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all who knew her. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held on Sat. June 27, 10:30 am, at the First United Methodist Church in LaGrange. Memorials may be sent to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004 (202-785-3355) or online at www.lungusa.org. She was preceded in death by her son Bill (1983), husband Eugene Koehlinger (1992) and husband Richard Bing (2003). Survivors include her daughter, Debra "Debbie" McGovern of St. Paul, MN; son Scott Koehlinger (Dawn) of Downers Grove, IL; and daughter, Linda Kozacek (Kurt) of Overland Park, KS; granddaughters Amber and Erin Koehlinger and Katie and Emily Kozacek; her sister Lillian Richardson of Tuscan, AZ; and a host of other family and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.