Jean Marie Mahaffey

Jean M. Mahaffey, 97 of Aledo, died Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Mercer Manor, Aledo. Funeral Services will be Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the DeBacker family.

Jean Marie was born on March 25, 1929, in Mercer County, Illinois to Ernest Andrew & Anna Ruth (McCauley) Carlson. She married George J. DeBacker. He preceded her in death. She later married Tom Mahaffey, who also preceded her in death.

Jean was Hostess at Bishop’s for many years and enjoyed driving bus for Headley’s taking children to the Quad Cities. Working at the Mercer County Senior Center was a part time job where Jean enjoyed making friends and helping others. In earlier years, Jean was a member of the Mercer County VFW Auxiliary.

Jean and her daughter Carole enjoyed their daily explorations and eating out with family and friends. The cookie jar was always full at Jean’s home, even when she couldn’t bake anymore. A day didn’t start without a cup of coffee and a cookie.

Jean is survived by her children: Stephen & Linda DeBacker and Jeffrey DeBacker; grandchildren: Jason & Jenny DeBacker, Adam & Krystal DeBacker, Danell DeBacker, Amanda & Jeremy Buirch, Nathan & Cindy DeBacker and Kegan DeBacker; great-grandchildren: Tristan, Hayden, Kellen and Amber; siblings: Lorraine “Pinky” Cuncar and Ernie Carlson. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter, Carole; daughter-in-law, Deborah DeBacker; grandson, Andrew Jeffrey DeBacker and sisters, Ruth Ann and JoAnn.