SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – December 18, 2001

Mary E. Pirka

Feb. 17, 1920 - Dec. 16, 2001

Mary E. Pirka, 81, of North Mason Street, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, in the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend, Ind.

Mary was born on Feb. 17, 1920, in Fulton County, Ind., as the daughter of the late Ray O'Dell and Edna Ruth (Alspach) Emmons. Mary was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin Beth Wheeler; a grandson, Andrew Kuss; a sister, Kathleen Comer; and by a brother, Donald Emmons. On June 30, 1944, in Mishawaka, as the former Mary Emmons, she married Louis C. Pirka Jr., who also preceded her in death on Aug. 5, 1985.

Mary is survived by a daughter, Sandra Jacob of Asheville, N.C.; three grandchildren, Jana Oettinger, Hope Auerbach and Megan Wheeler; three great-grandchildren; and by two sisters, Karen Gilliom of Mishawaka and Jean Musto of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Mary worked as a Mishawaka city controller for five years and was a mayoral administrative assistant for several years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mishawaka.

Services for Mary will be held at noon on Thursday, Dec. 20, in the First Presbyterian Church of Mishawaka, where friends may call two hours prior. Rev. Ronald Miller will be officiating. The Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, is handling the arrangements.

Contributions in memory of Mary Pirka may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 401 Lincoln Way E., Mishawaka, IN 46544.