Mary Jane McGinnis, nee Whelan, 69, of Millstadt, Illinois, born March 5, 1955, in East St. Louis, Illinois, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

She retired from Ralston-Purina where she worked as a purchasing manager for over 25 years. After she retired, she owned a floral business in New Athens, Illinois. After running her floral business for years, she then managed the floral shop at Scott Air Force Base. She had quite the green thumb, loved going to church functions, and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kevin McGinnis; her father, Joseph Whelan, and her brother, Roger Whelan.

Surviving are her children Christopher McGinnis of Millstadt, Meghan (Thaddeus) Biekert of Caseyville, her mother Viola Whelan of Aviston, her sister, Kathleen (Timothy)Eichelberger and four wonderful grandchildren; Madison, Emma, Peyton, and Weston. She was also a dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org.

Friends may visit from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois.  Funeral procession to leave at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from the funeral home to St. James Catholic Church, Millstadt, IL, for a 9:00 a.m. Mass of the Christian Burial with Father Evaristus Akabueze officiating, Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.