Mary Ellen Ferkin, 74, formerly of Kenosha, late of Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2011, in Arizona.

Born on June 2, 1936, in Kenosha, she was the daughter of the late Leo M. and Clara S. (Fonk) Brickley, and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School.

On June 29, 1957, she married Donald J. Ferkin (Bradford Class of '51) in Kenosha. She and her husband resided in Mundelein, IL, and Sun Lakes, AZ.

Surviving Mary Ellen are her husband of 53 years, Donald; their five children, Martin J. Ferkin of Virginia Beach, VA, Mike D. (Monica) Ferkin of Gurnee, IL, Maureen C. Ferkin of Parker, CO, Diane F. (Jay) Henry of Salt Lake City, UT, and Donna S. (Thomas) Lantz of Parker, CO; seven grandchildren; two sisters, Edna Klopstein of Kenosha and Susan (Thomas) Nelson of Middleton, WI; and one brother, Thomas Brickley of Rhinelander, WI.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 1, 2011, at Proko Funeral Home.  Interment followed at St. James Cemetery. The family requests memorials in Mary Ellen’s name to:  Braille Library & Transcribing Services, 517 N. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53705.