Remembering a pillar of local theater
GOODFIELD (25News Now) - After more than 40-years performing live theater in Central Illinois, much-loved Goodfield resident Mary Simon has died.
Simon, of the Barn III Dinner Theatre and Event Center in Goodfield, died Monday at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. She was 74.
Simon first auditioned for Chaunce Conklin and his Bloomington dinner theater in 1969. She was involved with the various Conklin theaters for the rest of her life and took over the operation in 1995, according to her obituary. Chance Conklin died in 1999.
“We are blessed to keep her and Chaunce’s dream alive and we will continue the good work of community, events and entertainment in her honor, “Barn III Dinner Theatre and Event Center said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Simon graduated from Geneseo High School in 1967 and was a theater major at Illinois State University.
Barn III’s Facebook post said, “Not even the stars could shine as bright as she did on stage. Her light will be greatly missed.”
Mary Simon’s funeral will be held Monday, August 21 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Atkinson.
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