Mary Jane Adams

Mary Jane Adams, 62, of Charleston, IL passed away at 4:07 PM on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church 311 7th St., Charleston, IL. Rev. Mary E. Wright will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Mary Jane was born on June 26, 1963 in Hamilton, Onterio, Canada. She was a daughter of Kenneth Albert and Patricia Edith (Mair) Adams. She married Sharlyn Sue Linker on May 19, 2018 in Charleston, IL.

She is survived by her wife, Sharlyn Linker of Charleston, IL, and two brothers, Ken Adams and his wife Breanda of Manchester, NY, and Peter Adams of Charleston, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mary Jane graduated from Polo High School in 1982 where she was an active athlete. Following high school, she received a softball scholarship to play right field for Kent State University in Ohio. She graduated from Kent State with a Bachelor’s degree in 1986.

After completing her college education, she worked as a Nautilus instructor at the YMCA in Sterling, IL. During that time, she also served as the Fresh-Soph girls’ basketball coach at Dixon High School for one season. She moved to Charleston, shortly after that to take a position at CCARs Senior Program. She found a lasting role, and a second family, working as a QIDP at the group home, Hope House, in Arcola IL.

Mary Jane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, where she served as a deacon.

Mary Jane enjoyed spending time in her flower garden whenever she was able. Her pets were her children, and she loved spending time with them, she also loved sending cards and notes of encouragement to everyone she knew.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, IL or the Coles County Animal Shelter.