Cleda Marie Mayes 90, of Collinsville, Illinois, passed away on September 30, 2021.  She was preceded by her husband Clarence "Rocky" Mayes.  They were married 68 years.  She was also preceded by her son, Terry Nickolas Mayes.  Cleda was born in Madison, Illinois, on July 8, 1931, the daughter of the late John and Mittie Tur.  Cleda was also preceded by her siblings: Elizabeth "Liz"  Brawley, Lois "Darlene" Brawley, Paul Tur and Ethel 'Leoma" Macek.

There was no task at hand that Cleda couldn't take on, she was like MacGyver who could solve the problem at hand.  Cleda was very talented, was creative making crafts, could draw anything she put her mind to, sew, earned many medals for marksmanship for pistol shooting, and was a poet.  Cleda was proud of her Polish heritage and would say with her arms flexed " I strong Polish woman".

Along with her husband, Cleda was always active in the church.  Her focus with the church was often music.  She played and sang at many church music events.  At times she was invited and would appear to sing at regional church events.  She was a self taught pianist and accordion player.

In her early years of marriage, the family traveled often for Rocky's work as a Millright.  After moving to Wyoming, she and the family were swept up by the "Western Life".  The music, the clothes, and the many new lifetime friends stayed with her until the end.

Cleda is survived by her son, Robert "Mike" (Nina) Mayes of Geneseo, Illinois; daughter, Debe (Tom) Rees of Granite City, Illinois; four grandchildren: Ben Mayes, Zach Mayes, Tia Rees and Thommy Rees; three great-grandchildren: Chelsea (Austin) Snyder, Kaitlyn Mayes, Emma (Matt) Penrose; several nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: DAV (Disabled American Veterans) DAV.org or AMVETS (american Veterans) amvets.org.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Sunset Hill Funeral Home, Glen Carbon, Illinois. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Glen Carbon, Illinois.