Mary E. Woodcox, 80, died at 3:20 p.m. Saturday at Miller's Merry Manor, Wakarusa, after a lengthy illness.

She was born Nov. 16, 1933, in Nappanee, to Jacob and Elsie (Speicher) Mitschelen. On June 22, 1952, she married Kenneth Woodcox. Mary was a lifetime resident of this area, living in Nappanee, Lakeville, Bremen and South Bend.

Mary was a graduate of John Adams High School. She was a homemaker and had worked at Christian Light Bookstore. She had also been a co-owner of Nappanee Antique Mall. Mary also drove for the Amish community. Mary was an active member of Nappanee Missionary Church and attended small church there. She was a volunteer and active with the Gospel Echoes Bible Study at Westville Correctional Facilities. Mary had a gentle, quiet spirit and was very caring. She had worked in various social ministries where she lived. Mary was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Surviving along with her husband, Kenneth, are daughters, Becky (Dan) Royer, Brazil, South America, Debra (Larry) Chizum, Plymouth, Kathy (David) Freistuhler, Antioch, Tenn.; sons, David (Barb) Woodcox, Randy (Carla) Woodcox, both of Mishawaka; son-in-law, Butch Rittenhouse, Venice, Ill.; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Janice (Joe) Hastings, South Bend.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Diane Rittenhouse; sister, Betty Marshall; and brother, Laurel "Sonny" Mitschelen.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Nappanee Missionary Church Chapel and for one hour prior to the 10 a.m. funeral service Thursday at the church. Pastor Norm Reimer will officiate and burial will be in Southlawn Cemetery in South Bend.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hannah's House.

Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.

03/31/2021 DEC