Mary Esther Zolman, of Warsaw, passed away surrounded by family at 5:37 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, at her residence at the age of 91.

She was born on May 7, 1929, in Akron, to Doris Delight Miller Lukens and Charles Murray Lukens. On Feb. 16, 1947, she married the love of her life, Arden Rex Zolman. They shared 44 years of adventures and marriage together before he passed away on April 22, 1991.

Mary was a lifetime Kosciusko County resident, where she graduated from Akron High School in Akron. She worked throughout her life, in the mid 1980s she worked in the catalog sales department for J.C. Penney for many years, as well as working at Gatke Corporation in Warsaw, where she helped produce items like asbestos-related products and brake pads in the factory for many years.

Mary was definitely the matriarch of the family and kept everyone in line. Always the voice of reason and a rock-solid presence for her family. She also had her mischievous side to her lively personality. She took her granddaughters “cruisin’ for boys” in the 1990s!

For her 90th birthday, she celebrated by taking a helicopter ride. She enjoyed the fellowship of her church family at First Freewill Baptist Church of Kosciusko County. Mary traveled the world and was able to witness the beauty of God’s creation in Italy, Ireland, Australia, Germany and the breathtaking Hawaii four times. While in Ireland she kissed the Blarney Stone, a block of limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab – which it definitely did!?

Mary lived a long and full life, even at the age of 91 she was always young at heart. Mary left so many memories for her family to remember her by. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Mary leaves behind her son, Eric (Nancy) Zolman, Winona Lake; two granddaughters: Kristin (Kevin) Rutledge, Fort Wayne; and Karrie (Sean) Spore, Winona Lake; three great-grandchildren:?Parker and Nolan Spore; and Ashley Rutledge; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Audrey Fischel; and her son, Mark Jay Zolman, who passed away on Feb. 24, 2013.

Mary’s life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Terry Bradford. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

*****

Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.