Marie Fairchild age 86 of Bluford passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at St Louis University Hospital in Missouri, surrounded by love. Marie was born February 22, 1930 in Texico, to parents Gus and Ruth Marie (Jolly)Whitson.  She married Kenneth R. Knowles in 1947 and together they had 6 beautiful children.  They parted ways in 1990.  Later in life she married Lowell Thomas Fairchild and they enjoyed life together until his death in 2008. Marie was a member of East Hickory Hill Baptist Church where she served as church secretary and Sunday School teacher.  In addition to her volunteer work at church she also kept the books for Knob Prairie Cemetery and helped prepare tax returns for seniors at the Mt. Vernon Sunshine Center.  Her commitment for serving others was recognized in 1997 when she was chosen as one of Mt Vernon’s first Senior Saints. She is survived by her children John Knowles of Bluford, Ken (Julie) Knowles of Urbana, Roy (Carla) Knowles of Huntington IN, Terry (Rene’) Knowles of Centralia, Ruth (John) Harmison of Clinton, Mary Jane (Pete) McEathron of Ellsworth WI; sister, Wilma (Jerry) Ellis; brother-in-law, Harper Harvey; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, a very special step granddaughter; nieces, nephews, and many loving friends. In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, an infant brother, sisters; Betty Jane Whitson, Marcel Harvey and Veda Bergeron. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2016, at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville.  Interment will follow at the Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, Illinois.  Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5-8 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the family. For more information you may call Newell Funeral Home at 246-0100 or visit at www.newelfuneralhome.com