Mary Ellen Coons, age 86, of rural Medina County, went to be with her maker, peacefully at home with Pat and Denise by her side after a brief battle with cancer, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. She was born Feb. 22, 1925, in Melrose Township, IL, and resided in St.Louis, MO, until 1992 when she moved to Texas permanently, as the saying goes, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could." She was in the civil service in Nagoya, Japan, which started her passion for antiques and collecting. She returned to the states to finish school and retired as an occupational therapist with the VA hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was well known on Cherokee Antique Row where she had a store. She is preceded in death by her parents and aunt who helped raise her, Lora Harms, who passed away on 9-11-2001. Survivors are her cousins, Russell Miller and wife Sue and Bobby Miller and wife Wanda and their families; and her Texas family, Pat Grunewald, her sister of 57 years; inherited daughter, Denise Grunewald-Benavides and husband Rene; and many special friends, including Lothell DuBose, Margaret Taylor and Imelda Gallardo. There will be no funeral service as per her request, but a private memorial service will be held at a later date.