Mary Ann Gradeless
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
She was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Pierceton, to Burns Hascal and Dora Hedges Summey. She married Raymond Lee Gradeless in July of 1950, and they were divorced in 1974. She later was married to Ernest L. Kulwicki from 1980 until his death July 6, 1999.
She attended both Manchester College, North Manchester, and Bethel College, Mishawaka, where she received her undergraduate degree in education. Later she earned her masters degree in education from Bethel.
She moved to Warsaw in 1012 to live close to her daughter, Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan. Before moving to Warsaw, she had lived in North Liberty and Lakeville. She taught in the Lapaz and Lakeville school systems (now known as Union-North United School Corporation).
She was very involved at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, South Bend. She played the organ for Sunday services, was choir director and taught Sunday School. She was chairman of the church’s administrative board, organized the annual mother-daughter banquet and chaired the Country Store committee. She was a member of Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club where she sang with the Optimist Singers. She also sang with the Marshall County Melody Makers.
Surviving are her son, Michael (and spouse Kathy) Gradeless, Carmel; one granddaughter, Leanna (and spouse Jeff) Anderson, Houston, Texas; four grandsons: Robert (and spouse Caiti) Gradeless, Indianapolis; Raymond Gradeless, Carmel; Stephen (and spouse Alixandra) Rudisel, Lafayette; and Pvt. Daniel (and spouse Amanda) Rudisel, Fort Riley, Kan.; three step-daughters: Patty (and spouse Jim) Colanese, Lakeville; Mary Kelly; and Barbara Kulwicki; four step-grandsons: Joshua Colanese, David and Michael Kelly and Richard Smith; seven step-granddaughters: Jennifer Colanese, Lori Daniels, Jamie Bibler, Amy Grenell, Cindy Alexander, Michelle Peterson and Lisa Kelly. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan, who died July 18, 2013.
Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday at Maple Grove United Methodist Church, South Bend, with Pastor Sue Irwin of the church officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Calling will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, and for one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
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Memorials to Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 22019 New Road, South Bend, IN 46614.
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
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She was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Pierceton, to Burns Hascal and Dora Hedges Summey. She married Raymond Lee Gradeless in July of 1950, and they were divorced in 1974. She later was married to Ernest L. Kulwicki from 1980 until his death July 6, 1999.
She attended both Manchester College, North Manchester, and Bethel College, Mishawaka, where she received her undergraduate degree in education. Later she earned her masters degree in education from Bethel.
She moved to Warsaw in 1012 to live close to her daughter, Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan. Before moving to Warsaw, she had lived in North Liberty and Lakeville. She taught in the Lapaz and Lakeville school systems (now known as Union-North United School Corporation).
She was very involved at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, South Bend. She played the organ for Sunday services, was choir director and taught Sunday School. She was chairman of the church’s administrative board, organized the annual mother-daughter banquet and chaired the Country Store committee. She was a member of Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club where she sang with the Optimist Singers. She also sang with the Marshall County Melody Makers.
Surviving are her son, Michael (and spouse Kathy) Gradeless, Carmel; one granddaughter, Leanna (and spouse Jeff) Anderson, Houston, Texas; four grandsons: Robert (and spouse Caiti) Gradeless, Indianapolis; Raymond Gradeless, Carmel; Stephen (and spouse Alixandra) Rudisel, Lafayette; and Pvt. Daniel (and spouse Amanda) Rudisel, Fort Riley, Kan.; three step-daughters: Patty (and spouse Jim) Colanese, Lakeville; Mary Kelly; and Barbara Kulwicki; four step-grandsons: Joshua Colanese, David and Michael Kelly and Richard Smith; seven step-granddaughters: Jennifer Colanese, Lori Daniels, Jamie Bibler, Amy Grenell, Cindy Alexander, Michelle Peterson and Lisa Kelly. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan, who died July 18, 2013.
Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday at Maple Grove United Methodist Church, South Bend, with Pastor Sue Irwin of the church officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.
Calling will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, and for one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
*****
Memorials to Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 22019 New Road, South Bend, IN 46614.
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
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