Mary E. Mortimer, 74, of Keokuk, IA, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Lexington Square in Keokuk. She was born on September 24, 1941 in Ft. Smith, AR the daughter of Bill and Ruth Desper Hartsfield. On June 6, 1959, Mary was united in marriage to James W. "Mort" Mortimer in Elgin, IL. He preceded her in death on March 27, 2007. Mary graduated from the Dundee Community High School in Carpentersville, IL with the Class of 1959. She later attended John Wood Community College and Southeastern Community College and received her Certified Medical Assistant certification. Over the years Mary had been employed at Woolworths, K-Mart and Henke's Hardware, all in Keokuk. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Keokuk, the 700 Club and the Women of the Moose. She was a faithful supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital and Adopt-A-Kid. Mary loved music and had written and produced a song entitled "Joe and Jenny" under the alias of Erin O'Brian. She is survived by two sons, David Patrick Mortimer of Keokuk and Gary Dale Mortimer (Michelle Rulon) of Ft. Madison, IA, two daughters, Janet Sue Payne (Jamie) and Debora Kay VanZile Cook (Christopher) all of Keokuk, twenty-five grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, two sisters, Patricia Martin of Springfield, IL and Carolyn Gordon Parlier (Frank) of North Carolina, her cousin that was raised with her, Shevawn Stewart of Franklin, TN, one uncle Richard Desper (Laura) of Hudson, MA and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, James E. Mortimer, one brother Bill Hartsfield and two sisters, Jean Hay and Wilma Tuck. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with Pastor David Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Keokuk National Cemetery. Visitation will be held after 1 p.m., Sunday at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with the family meeting with friends from 3 – 5 p.m. A memorial has been established.