Mary F Harris

ELKHART: Mary F. Harris, passed away Monday morning, December 10, 2018 at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center from natural causes. She was 87 years of age. A native of Elkhart, Mary was born on September 6, 1931 to the late Eugene T. and Catherine C. (Cavallo) Kretschmer. She married Richard E. Harris on February 7, 1953 at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Richard passed on June 18, 1998 in Elkhart. Mary is survived by her children, Edward C. (Cynthia) Harris of Traverse City, MI, Mark T. Harris of Bonita Springs, Fla. and Catherine S.(John) Reedy of Middlebury; 8 grandchildren: John II, Maria, Alycia, Lucy, Kelly, Michaela, Kimberly and Kirk, and 11 great grandchildren; a sister Carol Bennett of Mishawaka; 2 brothers, Joseph H. Kretschmer of Ft. Wayne and David (Alice Ann) Kretschmer of Oleatha, Kansas, sister-in-law Nellie Kretschmer of San Jose, CA along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, a brother Eugene W. Kretschmer of preceded her in death.

 Mary worked at Portage Reality as a secretary for 12 years, retiring in 1994, and formerly worked at the Black Angus Steak House in Elkhart for 20 years.

Mary was a longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where she was active in the Rosary society, and helped with many ministries. Mary was also active in many charitable organizations. She was a (50+) year member and past Regent of the Daughters of Isabella, Past President and (63) year member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 74, Elkhart, and current member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 210 in Middlebury, life member of the DAV Auxiliary, member (40 +) years of Women of the Moose, Cass County Council on Aging, Elkhart Art League, and the Elkhart Lion’s Club where she was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award . For many years Mary made the annual Lion’s Club volunteer trip to Mexico to hand out collected glasses.  Mary also volunteered at Knights of Columbus Fish Fry's for many years where she loved seeing all her friends.

 Mary enjoyed, traveling the world with family and friends, gardening, playing bingo at Arby's, needle craft, crocheting lap blankets for seniors, and collecting Beanie Babies, Campbell soup memorabilia, and cat figurines.   She also enjoyed spending the winters in Bonita Springs, FL with family.

Mary’s family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Billings Funeral Home, where a parish Rosary will be prayed beginning at 6:30 pm.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2018 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, with additional visitation 1 hour prior. Rev. Jason Freiburger will officiate.  Burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Mary’s memory to the Humane Society of Elkhart County.

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