Mary Elizabeth Conger (Drake)

Mary Elizabeth Conger (Drake), 91 of Bloomington, Indiana passed away peacefully on Friday September 2, 2022 with her family by her side at Indiana University Health Hospice House. A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, she will be missed by so many. Mary was born on November 19, 1930 in Delaware Ohio to William R. and Wanda (Mackan) Drake. She graduated from Willis High School in Delaware in 1948 and achieved her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education graduating Cum Laude from Ohio State University in 1951. In 1952, she married Hobart Billingsley and together they lived in Michigan, California, Ohio and Washington State. The couple moved to Bloomington in 1959 when Hobie was hired as a diving coach for Indiana University. Together they had three children; Nancy, Jim and Elizabeth. Mary worked as a dental assistant and a primary and secondary school teacher before becoming a stay at home mother following the birth of her first child, Nancy. Hobie and Mary divorced in 1975. In 1998, Mary reunited with a high school friend Dr. Clyde “Jug” Conger of Lima, Ohio at their 50th high school reunion in Delaware Ohio. The two sparked a friendship, then quickly became lovebirds and were married in February of 1999. They continued to keep residences in both Lima and Bloomington and traveled back and forth in order to keep lifelong friendships and family close to each of them. Mary was a loving and devoted wife to Jug until his untimely death in June of 2012. Mary led and served on many committees and groups over the years which included McCalla School PTA, Tri Kappa Philanthropic Sorority, and several women’s groups at the First United Methodist Church of Bloomington of which she was a member and had attended from 1959 until her death. She also had an absolute love for playing duplicate bridge, playing with her friends any chance she could. For many years she played in the Bloomington League every Monday and very rarely ever missed a week. Most of all, Mary loved her family. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and her smile would light up the room whenever any of them came to visit her. She was known for being one of the dearest and sweetest women ever and affectionately coined the phrase, “Oh dear!” in her family. Survivors include Mary’s two daughter’s, Nancy (Bruce McConnell) Farmer of Clermont FL, Elizabeth (Scott) Bender of Bloomington, a son, Jim (Teresa) Billingsley, nine grandchildren, Carly (Justin) Vest, Lindsey Farmer, Kyle (Kaitlyn) Huttenlocker, Shaun Huttenlocker, Amber Kay, Cory Huttenlocker, Cody Billingsley, Savannah (Joseph) Curry and Lizzie Billingsley; nine great grandchildren, Meleah Vest, Caden Huttenlocker, Carson Huttenlocker, Callahan Litwin, Anna Kay, Jackson Kay, Sadie Kay, Penelope Clarke and Quinn Clarke, a sister, Julia (William) Gossard of Plain City, OH, two nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Martha Lepkowski of Talmadge OH, a nephew and a niece. Friends may call at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory 4155 South Old State Road 37 in Bloomington on Wednesday September 21, 2022 between 4 to 8 pm and from 12PM Noon until 1PM at the First United Methodist Church at 219 East 4th St on Thursday September 22, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 1:0PM at the church. Graveside service will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware Ohio on Friday September 23, 2022 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers donations are being accepted at the Monroe County Humane Association in Mary’s name. Online condolences photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Mary Elizabeth Conger (Drake)

November 19, 1930 - September 2, 2022