Maryelen (Bump) Brown

Maryelen (Bump) Brown, 93, of Springfield, IL, formerly of Canton, IL, died Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. She was born May 18, 1926, near Fiatt, IL, the daughter of Clifford A. and Nellie C. (Smith) Bump of rural Fiatt, IL.

On August 15, 1953, Maryelen married Irvin L. “Brownie” Brown at the Methodist Parsonage in Hanna City, IL. He preceded her in death on September 10, 1990.

She was preceded in death by sisters, Bernita Beatty, Arleta McWhorter, and Barbara Taylor, and her brother, Clifford F. Bump. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Roger) Swartzbaugh of Springfield, IL, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She graduated from Cuba High School in 1944. After graduating from high school, she worked at international Harvester in Canton to put herself through Liberty Beauty School in Peoria, IL. After completing Liberty Beauty School Cosmetology and Teacher training, she managed and taught at Liberty until about 1959. After being a stay-at-home mother, she was an instructor at International Beauty Academy and Spoon River College in Canton. She later worked at Edward’s of Canton and Kirlin’s Hallmark in Canton. In 2001, Maryelen retired and moved to Springfield, IL to live with her daughter, Nancy and son-in-law, Roger Swartzbaugh.

Maryelen was an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals (Yadier Molina), and fighting Illini Basketball. She spent many happy hours watching sports with her son-in-law.

With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered, “come with me.” A golden heart stopped beating, your suffering body to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.

A private graveside service will be held at Fiatt Cemetery in Fiatt, IL. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association. Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL is in charge of arrangements. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com