Mary Belle McMackin, 77, of Maryville, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 24, 1948, in St. Louis, MO, and grew up in Salem, IL.
Mary Belle worked for many years in interior design and independent sales, but what she loved most was her family. She made it a priority to be there for all of her children’s and grandchildren’s important events and life milestones, even if it meant leaving in the middle of the night to drive somewhere in the rain. She hosted holiday events, planned weekend adventures, and American Girl Doll tea times. She recently became a great-grandmother, a role she had long dreamed of and cherished deeply.
She loved telling stories about her childhood and young adult years with her two sisters, which often included themes of adventure and fearlessness, leaving her grandchildren usually wondering how she survived to adulthood. She loved to read and travel, which she did as much as possible with her fantastic group of friends.
She also loved to garden; yellow and purple irises were her favorite, and she had a certain way she liked things done. A friend recently shared, “I bet she’s in heaven, bossing some angels around, moving furniture in her heavenly home. And her garden will be gorgeous and eternally in bloom.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles L. and Flora J. (Gibson) McMackin; her beloved husband, John F. Stygar, whom she married on January 12, 2001; and her sister, Merry Gay McMackin.
Mary Belle is survived by her son, Matt (Kristin) Feldmann of Edwardsville, IL; daughter, Sarah (Brian) Eich of Channahon, IL; five grandchildren, Keegan Eich, Kiersten (Eich) Staniszewski, Ella Feldmann, Vel Feldmann, and Madeline Feldmann; one great-grandchild, Charlie Staniszewski; her sister, Ellen McMackin Spencer of Glen Carbon, IL; her brother-in-law, Paul (Mickey) Stygar; and many much loved nieces and nephews.
Memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, Illinois. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. with Father Louis McCabe officiating. To honor Mary Belle’s colorful spirit, please wear your favorite color to celebrate her life.
Following the service, Mary Belle and her husband, John, will be inurned at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO, at 1:30 p.m., where military honors will be rendered for John. A shared meal will follow at 2:30 p.m. at The Studio, 60 School St, Glen Carbon, IL 62034.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Metro East Humane Society and may be given at the visitation or mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home. Flowers may also be sent to Barry Wilson Funeral Home for the January visitation. Although she loved plants and gardening, please refrain from donating to Plant Trees in Remembrance.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com
