Mary Jean Reno, 94, of Piasa, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Jerseyville Manor.
She was born on August 5, 1932, in Carlinville, to her wonderful parents, Austin “Buck” and Eleanor (Halliday) Jaynes.
She attended country schools including Carrington Chapel when her mother was her teacher at one time. She graduated from Shipman High School in 1950, where she received the DAR award and was later the president of the Shipman Alumni.
On February 17, 1952, she married her high school sweetheart, John Reno at the Shipman Methodist Church. In 1953, while John was stationed in Germany as a medic in the United States Army, Mary Jean was employed in the office of standards and budgeting for the Olin Corporation and later at the First National Bank of Alton. During their 50 years of marriage John and Mary Jean were blessed with three sons, Jeff (Paulette) Reno of Piasa, John “Mike” (Bridget) Reno of St. Louis, and Brad Reno of Edwardsville; granddaughters, Brittney (Kyle) Vonnahmen, Kristen Reno; great grandsons Aaron and Nolan Vonnahmen. They supported their family as members of the PTO and were Sunday school teachers at Mt. Zion Baptist Church as well as cheering on Southwestern High School sports and activities. John and Mary Jean were also great fans of the St. Louis Cardinals and Rams.
She was employed by Tom and Una Mae Beckham at the Shipman Lumber Co. and retired in 1998 from Citizens State Bank in Shipman. She was a member of Southwestern Chamber of Commerce, Royal Neighbors and Macoupin Baptist Committees. She loved serving Jesus, sending cards of encouragement, calling to check on those in need and driving others to appointments.
Surviving in addition to her loving children and grandchildren are nieces and nephews Richard (Bonnie) Shelton, Dale Shelton, Becky (Chuck) Johnson, Mickie Kroeschel, Kendra (Dennis) Westfall, many great nieces, nephews, cousins, and her Mt Zion Baptist Church family.
Preceding, but never forgotten are her wonderful husband John; infant daughter Sue Ellen; parents, Austin and Eleanor Jaynes; sister Ethel Shelton, sister Dolores Alward; mother and father in law Mabel and Ralph Reno; brothers in law Bill Shelton and Les Alward; nephew Tim Kroeschel; friend Don Strohbeck.
Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of funeral service at noon, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Piasa.
Burial will follow at Shipman Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church or Southwestern Foundation for Educational Excellence.
Condolences may be left online at www.andersonfamilyfuneral.com.
