Mary Elaine Walton, 87, of Whitehall and formerly of Decatur, Ill., died Aug. 14, 2019, at Fellowship Community. She was the wife of the late Harold K. Walton.

Born in Blue Mound, Ill., she was a daughter of the late Earl and Pearl (Mouche) Gorden.

She was the valedictorian and a 1949 graduate of Blue Mound High School. She attended Illinois State Normal University.

She was, at age 13 until she graduated from high school, the organist at Blue Mound Christian Church. She taught in the Taylorville and Blue Mound school districts. She later was a substitute teacher’s aide for 27 years with severe and profound special needs students in the Decatur Public Schools and at Sunnyside School.

She was a member of Central Christian Church, Decatur.

She was a life member of the Illinois Congress of the PTA.

She is survived by two daughters, Linda Theurer with Philip of Mechanicsville, Va.; and Diane Richter with Kevin of Schnecksville; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, Ill.

Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2309 W. White Oaks Drive, Suite E, Springfield, IL 62704.

Arrangements were made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.