Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary Hager

June 13, 1925 - Sept. 9, 2001

South Bend Tribune 9/11/2001

Mary (Lippincott) Bennett Hager, 76, formerly of Grand Boulevard, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away after an extended illness at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, in her daughter's residence in North Judson, Ind. Mrs. Hager was born on June 13, 1925, in LaPorte, Ind., and resided in the Michiana area her lifetime.

In June 1962, as Mary Lippincott, she married Elza N. Bennett, who preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 1972. On May 29, 1976, she married Merrill A. Hager Sr. in New Carlisle, Ind. He also preceded her in death on June 1, 1998. Mary is survived by two daughters, Nancy L. (Hager) Minix of North Judson and Marcia E. (Joe) Bennett-Reinert of North Bend, Wash.; and by a stepson, Merrill A. Hager Jr. of Battle Creek, Mich. Mrs. Hager is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren whom she loved and cherished; a sister, Betty Shumaker of Mishawaka, Ind.; and by two brothers, Joseph Lippincott of South Bend, Ind., and William Lippincott of Tempe, Ariz. Mrs. Hager was a member of Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church, and was the first woman in the 1950s to become a board member of the St. Joseph County YMCA. Prior to becoming ill in June of this year, she still worked for Therapeutic, Inc.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Hanley & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home, located at West Ireland Road/Indiana 23, South Bend. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the funeral home, with Rev. Charles Ternet and Dr. Ernest Giest officiating. Burial to follow at Olive Chapel Cemetery in New Carlisle. The family request that all memorial contributions be made to Sumption Prairie United Methodist Church, 24535 Roosevelt Road, South Bend, IN 46614; or to the Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. The HANLEY & Sons" Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home handled arrangements and services and extend prayers and deepest sympathy to the Hager family.