Mary Ann (Hamlin) Neiheisel

Mary Ann (Hamlin) Neiheisel, 86, passed peacefully into the arms of her loving Savior on Wednesday, April 17, in her home.  She was surrounded by her children.

She was born on June 9, 1932, the daughter of Ralph and Camille Wellbaum.  Because her mother passed shortly after childbirth, she was adopted and lovingly raised by Camille’s two sisters, Anna Hamlin and Mary Gee Betts.  She married Jacob “Jack” Neiheisel on November 7, 1959, in St. Patrick Catholic Church.  She was a 1950 graduate of Kokomo High School and worked many years before retiring from the City of Firsts Credit Union.  She spent most of her life raising her family.

She is survived by her children, Lisa and Michael Fox, Kokomo; Lori Sawyer and Jamie Miles, Kokomo; Mary Pat Grise and Tom Soha, Evergreen, CO; David Neiheisel and Stephanie Hulce, Kokomo; and Amy Neiheisel, Kokomo.  She had 12 grandchildren, Jacob (Natalie) Fox, Valparaiso, IN; Joseph (Christian) Fox, Noblesville, IN; Katy (Matt) Duncan, Jacksonville, FL; Drew Sawyer, Jacksonville, FL; Brooke Sawyer, Kokomo, IN; AJ, Sam and Jackson Grise, Evergreen, CO; Mara and Isaac Neiheisel, Kokomo, IN; Jack and Nicholas Ashburn, Kokomo, IN.  Her great-grandchildren include Sydney, Nicholas and Saylor Fox, Valparaiso, IN, and one great-grandson due to arrive this August.  Her husband, Jacob “Jack”, and son, Jake Neiheisel, both awaited her in Heaven.  She was blessed to have an amazing care taker, Laura Clouser, who took wonderful care of her as well.

Mary Ann would like you to know that she loved and cherished her family and friends.  Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest blessings.  She loved preparing beautiful meals and everyone looked forward to her Thanksgiving feasts.  She loved reading good books, playing cards with family, friends and grandkids, working cross-word puzzles, donating to the penny slot machines and watching Hallmark Movies.  She enjoyed taking communion to the sick, and spending time with Jesus in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Patrick Catholic Church.  Her Catholic faith was paramount throughout her life.

She endured many losing Chicago Cub seasons with her husband and children but was fortunate to celebrate a World Series victory – finally!  In good times and bad, she was a faithful supporter of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and IU and PU basketball teams.  Truth be known, she was along for the ride and hated to see anyone lose.  She was a true Champ!  Above all, she taught her children how to win and lose, and taught us all how to live a life of true generosity.  She welcomed everyone to her home and loved sharing all.  Nothing made her happier than holding a newborn baby in her arms.  We salute you Mama – “Here’s to good women – may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them”.  We will love and miss you forever and all look forward to the day we will see you again.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1229 N. Washington, Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Brian Dudzinski the celebrant.  Entombment will follow in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, where a scripture reading will be offered at 7:30 pm.  Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church; Kokomo Rescue Mission; or Howard County Special Olympics.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.