Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary Gushwa

Jan. 3, 1903 - Sept. 16, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/21/2001

Mary Gushwa, 98, formerly of East Fox Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 16, at Hamilton Grove. Mary was born near North Liberty, Ind., on Jan. 3, 1903, to the late Benjamin Franklin and Anna Elizabeth (Snoke) McEndarfer. She was also preceded in death by her sister and three brothers.

At the age of six her family moved to New Mexico to benefit her mother's health. They returned to the North Liberty area in time for Mary to graduate from North Liberty High School.

On Oct. 16, 1927, she married Glenn Gushwa. They had a house built on East Fox Street the following year and lived together there until Glenn's death in September 1977. Mary continued to live in their house until 1995 when she moved to Hamilton Grove. Mary was an active and faithful member of the Emmaus Lutheran Church for many years and before that the Ridgedale Presbyterian Church. She was known for her handwork and crocheting of snow flakes, bells and angels for Christmas, and for piecing and knotting many, many comforters for the mission box and local needs.

She is survived by eight nieces, Mary McCombs of Granger, Ind., Lucille Mackey of Addison, Mich., Jennie Farber of California, Carol Kraft of South Bend, Patsy Gurtner and Elaine Snyder of Bremen, Ind., Margie Stuart and Mary Fisher of South Bend; a nephew, Harold McEndarfer of Dallas, Texas; a cousin, Lucy McEndarfer of South Bend; a number of great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and by a sister-in-law, Lois Gushwa of Bremen.

Services were conducted in the Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, 435 S. Ironwood on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Interment was at Fair Cemetery, Liberty Township.