Mary Hennel

No words could better describe Mary Hennel than loving wife and mother. Mary’s true passion during her lifetime was helping others in any way she could, yet being a mother was her greatest reward. She had a compassionate heart for both people and animals alike, and was very fond of her dog, Lacy and her three cats. Her wonderful personality and warm spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Looking back on the 1920’s, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge. By 1922, over 500 commercial radio stations were in operation in the US, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated by Former US President William Howard Taft and the Great Railway strike to protest wage cuts began that July. With the media focused on jazz music and celebrities, Frank and Anna (Smith) Schiff, welcomed home a newborn baby girl, Mary born on July 13th in Evansville, Indiana. She brought great joy to the family home.

Growing up during the Great Depression and surviving a flood, Mary learned to be resourceful at a young age. Her father was a railroad worker while her mother stayed at home to raise the children. Mary attended local schools and graduated from Reitz Memorial High school with the Class of 1940. As a young teen, she loved to frequent the movies and the local roller rink. It was there at the rink that she met the man of her dreams, Joseph Richard Hennel. She was a proud USO volunteer and took a job making bomb casings at Whirlpool during WWII joining many other female factory workers. Later, she and Joseph joined in marriage in June of 1946. Together they raised six wonderful children. Mary became a homemaker, a role she very much enjoyed. Having snacks ready for when the children came home from school and crying at the end of each summer, she gave selflessly of herself in raising each and every one of them. She taught them many valuable life skills, such as how to cook, how to practice patience and kindness, and especially for her daughters, how to mother and become independent women. Mary was actively involved in her children’s lives including being the Cub Scout leader for Dan’s troop and helping with Girl Scouts for many years.

Mary and Joe enjoyed many wonderful memories together in their sixty married years. They were into both square and round dancing for many years, including traveling the country to dance together. They spent many hours practicing at home and listening to tapes and found dancing to be their true passion. They made many special friendships through dancing at clubs over the years. Mary was a fan of the Carol Burnett show and loved the music of The Carpenter’s. She also followed Dolly Parton over the years and recently was able to attend one of her concerts. Mary also loved family vacations! Especially as the children grew older and moved greater distances apart, family get-togethers became even more meaningful. She especially enjoyed their times at beautiful Coldwater Lake and Everett, Michigan.

Mary was always one to stay busy. She enjoyed hiking the beautiful Pokegon State Park as well as the Girl Scout Camp near Huntertown. Nature was where she relieved any stress by taking in the wildflowers and the birds. Both birding and reading were her favorite pastimes. In addition, she very much enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge and bowling. To keep her involvement with nurturing young people, she volunteered to read to children at St. Henry’s grade school. She also volunteered her time at both the St. Joseph Hospital and St. Anne Home in the Fort Wayne area. Mary lived her life so fully and was delighted to spend any time she could with her grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing in their joys as well as being there for each and every one of them. She was devoted to her family in every way. Mary’s kindness, patience, and loving ways will forever be remembered.

Mary Catherine Hennel, age 94, of LaGrange and formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Parkview Noble Hospital. She was a past member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Fort Wayne and member of the Rosary sodality. Survivors include her five daughters, Marie and (Theodore) Carteaux of Oxford, North Carolina, Susan and (Chuck) Crockett of Pueblo, Colorado, Jane and (Craig) Harding of Fort Wayne, Margaret "Peg" and (Pat) Ballinger of Fort Wayne and Fran and (Richard) Bailey of LaGrange as well as her son, Daniel Hennell, of Dayton, Ohio. Also surviving are her seven grandchildren: Olivia Carteaux of North Carolina; Clinton (Carolyn) Crockett of Colorado; Kristin (Drew) Lyons of Ellettsville; Zachary Crockett of Colorado; and Blaine Carteaux of North Carolina; Elizabeth (Drew) Dunham of Wabash; and Joel (Theresa) Bailey of Wabash and two great grandchildren. Mary was also preceded in death by her husband, Joe in 2012; sisters, Genevieve Peters and Bea Snyder; and brothers, Frank "Buddy" Schiff and William "Bull" Schiff. Funeral services for Mary will be held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville with visitation before the service from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Officiating the funeral service will be Fr. J. Steele. Burial will follow at Salem Reformed Cemetery near Huntertown. Memorial donations may be made to PBS Channel 39, Fort Wayne. Send a condolence to the family at www.hitefuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.