Mary Kathryn Grandlinard, 86, living at 8484 S.R. 10, Argos, Ind., died in the Hospice House, Roseland, Ind., at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2004.
Born in Portland, Ind., on October 7, 1917, Mary was the daughter of Ray and Imogene Merrill Rittenhouse. She attended school in Bryant, Ind.
On June 6, 1936, in Portland, she and former Bluffton resident, Rev. Don Grandlinard, were married. Together their Wesleyan ministry would take them to the communities of Peru, Huntington, Valparaiso, Richmond, Anderson, Plymouth and Logansport. Called three times out of retirement, they would finally make Argos their retirement home in 1976.
A lifetime dedicated Christian women and homemaker, Mary had worked at the Jay Garment Co. of Portland. Mary had a gift for crafts and enjoyed making afghans and quilts.
Mary attended the Argos Wesleyan Church and always displayed a true servant’s heart who loved to host family and guests.
She is survived by her husband, retired minister, the Rev. Don Grandlinard, Argos, and by a son, Paul and Janet Grandlinard of Mendon, Mich., and two daughters: Helen Louise and John Henson of Pleasanton, Texas, and Anita Mae and Gary Berger of Plymouth.
Twelve grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three-great-great-grandchildren survive as well.
Two sisters, Ruth Nevil of Portland, Ind., and Nancy Bricker of Geneva, Ind., and a brother, Paul and Maxine Rittenhouse of Greenfield, Ind., also survive.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Martha Roll and Velma Harsha.
A celebration of Mary’s life and sharing of memories with her family will be on Wednesday, February 4, 2004, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services for Mary will be on Thursday, February 5, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Wesleyan Dist. Superintendent Rev. Dr. Harold Bardsley, Argos Pastor Brian Trump and Rev. Jerry Felts.
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Argos, Ind.
Memorial gifts in Mary’s name may be made to the Hospice House of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, Indiana 46637 or to the Gideon’s International.