Evelyn Lucile MottweilerEvelyn Lucile Mottweiler, of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, passed away at 5 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 93.
She was born on Feb. 6, 1928, in Greenville, Ill., to Lila Lucile Thompson Marston and Leslie Ray Marston.
Evelyn graduated from Greenville College (now Greenville University) on May 31, 1948, and on the same day, she was married to Reverend Jack Hugo Mottweiler. They shared the joy of raising two children and shared 49 years of marriage together before he passed away Dec. 28, 1997.
After seminary, Jack and Evelyn pastored churches in Illinois and California. In 1971, they moved to Winona Lake, where Jack became director of adult ministries of the Free Methodist denomination and Evelyn was director of the denominational historical center and archives until she retired in 1989.
In 1979, Evelyn was elected world president of the Free Methodist Woman’s Missionary Society (later called Women’s Ministries International). She served in this capacity until 1985, traveling extensively and ministering in over fifteen countries. She also served as secretary/treasurer of the World Fellowship of Free Methodist Churches, where she enjoyed being able to travel to meetings in several countries.
Evelyn taught preschool children in Sunday school for over 30 years and served in various areas of local church leadership. She was a member of the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, the Winona Literary Club, WOW (Winning Over Widowhood) and other local groups including the Winona Senior Center. Evelyn truly had a servant’s heart and loved serving her Lord and Savior wherever he directed her to. Her volunteer work following retirement included ministering to senior citizens in the community, especially at Grace Village Retirement Community where she later lived. Her response to a question in a prayer group when asked what she would like on her gravestone, Evelyn replied, “She did what she could,” referring to the Biblical account in Mark 14:8. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and a friend to many. Evelyn would most want to be remembered for her steadfast faith in her Savior Jesus Christ and will be dearly missed by all.
She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Marston (Clare) Mottweiler, Bishop, Calif.; daughter, Ann Truesdell, Winona Lake; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Rev. Robert (Ardath) Marston, Milan, Mich.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, in 1997.
Friends and family may visit from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be calling one hour prior to her service at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Evelyn's life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24 at Winona Lake Community Church (formerly Winona Lake Free Methodist Church), 902 College Ave., Winona Lake, and officiated by Pastor Bonnie Church and Pastor Rick Hurley. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
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Memorial donations may be directed to Winona Lake Community Church (formerly Winona Lake Free Methodist Church), 902 College Ave., Winona Lake, IN 46590; or to Marston Memorial Historical Center, P.O. 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002 and would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
