Born: May 3, 1925

Died: May 4, 2013

Mary I. Eltzroth, 88 years old, of Edwardsburg, retired business woman, passed to her rest May 4, 2013 while living at her son’s home, Harold ‘Willie’ Eltzroth. Mary was born May 3, 1925 in Marion, Ind., the seventh child of 15 to McClellan W. and Vera M. (Foster) Heavilin.

Mary graduated from Marion, Ind. High School, class of 1943. She met her husband Charles A. Eltzroth in Marion, and they were married June 17, 1947 in Chicago. Charles passed Jan. 29, 1980. Mary and Charles moved to Edwardsburg in 1953, where they started a welding business and in 1963 a mobile home park called C & M Park on Elkhart Road. The welding business terminated in 1967. They incorporated C & M Park with a new Park in the Village of Edwardsburg in 1966 known as Edwardsburg Mobile Home Estates. She was an officer of that corporation, with their son, Willie until it was sold in 2007.

She was the most senior business person in Edwardsburg, having started her own business until she retired in 2007. Other activities of her life are, a Charter Member of the Community Baptist Church, being the church organist for years and holding several other offices within the church, including church treasurer. She was the Edwardsburg Village treasurer from 1994 to 2005.

Surviving Mary is her son, Harold’ Willie’ (Karalee) Eltzroth of Edwardsburg, a step-son Michael Allen Johnson of California. There are five grandchildren, Dr. Kimberly Sue Eltzroth, MD. Corie Lynn Eltzroth, Zola Marie (Leroy) Greene, Mark Alexander Ongert, and Mary Lou (Rich) Artichoker. In addition, there are seven great-grandchildren. Her surviving siblings are, Lois Marie (Ben) Drown of Springbrook, Wash., Martha Ann (Keith) Brown of Missouri, Paul Eugene (Virginia) Heavilin of Muskegon, John Keith Heavilin of Marion, Ind., and Charles Warren (Barbara) Heavilin of Birmingham, Ala.

Family who have passed, are her husband, her parents, a son Thomas W. Eltzroth in 1999, a daughter Mary Charlene Eltzroth in 1953, her step-son Charles Allen Graham in 1996, and her siblings, Margaret Dunham in 1985, Eunice Black in 1994, Clara Kidder in 2000, Ruth Ellen Heavilin in 1937, Kathryn Cutting in 2008, George Heavilin in 2007, Robert Heavilin in 1999, Ronald Heavilin in 2005 and James Heavilin 1943.

Family and friends may gathered Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church, 28647 US-12, two miles west of Edwardsburg. The Service of Remembrance was Wednesday at 110 a.m., at the Community Baptist Church, where all may gather for one hour before the service. Officiating will be Rev. Mark Britton.

Interment will be Thursday at 11 a.m., where all may gather for one hour before, at Grant Memorial Park, located on Western Avenue at 28th St. in Marion. Memorial donations may be directed to  Awana Club International, a church youth organization, 15877 Collection Center Dr. Chicago, IL. 60693-0158 or The Edwardsburg Fire Department, 69910 M-62, Edwardsburg, MI 49112. Mary’s son Harold ‘Willie’ Eltzroth was fire chief of the Edwardsburg Fire Dept. for 23 years.

Arrangements are by the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg, a family friend for over 50 years.