Mary Frances Cline Vise Woolsey, 93, of Columbia, formerly of Vandalia, died on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at her home, surrounded by loving family.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, March 23, at the First United Methodist Church, located at 127 North 4th St. in Vandalia. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. following the visitation, with the Rev. Curtis Flake officiating. A private burial will be held at the City Cemetery in Mascoutah.
Mrs. Woolsey was born on March 14, 1932, at her grandmother’s home in rural Montgomery County. She was the daughter of Dale Victor and Nina Mary (Thacker) Cline of Mulberry Grove. She graduated from Mulberry Grove High School and earned her bachelor of arts degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1953. While there, Mrs. Woolsey was a member of Kappa Omicron Nu, a professional fraternity. She earned her master’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.
She wed the Rev. Paul R. Vise on Nov. 3, 1957, in Bethalto, where he was a pastor. He preceded her in death on Feb. 16, 1994. Together they raised three children, Marilyn, Paula and Dale (Janet). She was a proud grandmother of Joshua (DoHee) Vise, Ben (Amy Wuebbels) Vise, Eric (Tabitha) Vise and Jenny Vise and her great grandchildren are Hendrix, Zoey, Samuel, Paige and Rae Kim. Mrs. Woolsey’s faith, family and friends were the most treasured part of her life.
In her earlier years, Mrs. Woolsey was a teacher in public schools for 37 years: Decatur, Michigantown, Indiana, Springerton and then retiring in Cahokia 27 years later.
On accepting Christ at an Eldorado camp meeting, she became a member of the United Methodist Church. Mrs. Woolsey was active in many church activities, including teaching Sunday school for 27 years. She was a delegate at the 18th United Methodist World Conference in Birmingham, England, in 2001. In summers, Mrs. Woolsey led youth groups in camping experiences in Southern Illinois. Later, she did mission work in Haiti, Alaska, Arkansas, North Carolina and McKendree University with the Laurel Methodist Church from Springfield.
Mrs. Woolsey enjoyed traveling with her sister, Ruth, to many countries in Europe, France, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and three Scandinavian countries. They chose many countries by the spiritual benefits presented, as in the 1995 conference in Australia: ‘Celebrate God’s Activity.’ She enjoyed reading and often found stories about places she traveled.
On April 25, 2004, she married Herbert L. Woolsey at the United Methodist Church in Mulberry Grove. Entering this marriage were Herbert’s children: Randy (Cindy), Rick, Ron (Kathy), Ryan (Brenda), Rita (Tim) and Raymond (Coni) and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Woolsey was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, sister, niece, Jill Yurdin and stepchildren, Randy and Ron Woolsey.
Surviving Mrs. Woolsey are her children, Marilyn Vise of Belleville, Paula Vise of Southport, North Carolina and Dale (Janet) Vise of Columbia; grandchildren, Joshua (DoHee) Vise of South Korea, Ben (Amy Wuebbels) Vise of Belleville, Eric (Tabitha) Vise of Valmeyer and Jenny Vise of Columbia; great-grandchildren, Hendrix, Zoey, Samuel, Paige and Rae Kim; brother, Charles (Judy) Cline of Mulberry Grove; and many nieces, nephews and several wonderful friends.
The family asks that donations be given in lieu of flowers, plants and other gifts in memory of Mrs. Woolsey. Memorials may be given at the church or mailed to the First United Methodist Church, 127 North 4th St., Vandalia, IL 62471. The family has entrusted Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville with the arrangements. Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
