Mary Annette Shultz Thompson, 92, Winona Lake, met Jesus in person at 1 p.m. Dec. 5, 2015, after a friendship of many years. She was born Dec. 10, 1922, in Whittier, Calif., to Royce W. and Ferba Agnes Summe Shultz-Whittenberger. On June 14, 1947, she married Raymond Walter “Bud” Thompson, and they shared a full life together until his death Sept. 26, 1993. Both of her parents had spent their childhood years in the Claypool and Silver Lake area and had moved with their families to southern California in the early 1900s. She attended the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, now Biola University, and began her working life as a secretary at an insurance company. When their family was young, Bud and Mary moved to Winona Lake, where he earned a master of divinity degree from Grace Seminary. Upon graduation from seminary, they served at churches in Modesto and Bellflower, Calif., before returning to Winona in 1967 when Bud took a job with the Grace Brethren Foreign Missions office. During the next few years she worked as a writer and editor for the Free Methodist Headquarters. They completed their careers by serving eight years with the Grace Brethren Navajo Mission, Counselor, N.M., before their retirement and return to their home on the Island in Winona. Whatever the title or the role, she was always involved with children. She taught them, raised them, wrote and cooked for them. She was a mentor, a friend and a faithful example who will be missed by many people who look forward to seeing her again, healthy, vibrant and laughing. She has been a member of the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church since 1967. She will be lovingly remembered by her two sons, Paul (and spouse Kandy) Thompson, Westfield, and Don (and spouse Dale) Thompson, Birmingham, Ala.; four daughters: Judy Rae (and spouse Glenn) Firebaugh, State College, Pa.; Alice (and spouse Ron) Kinley, Portland, Ore.; Susie (and spouse Dave) Hobert, Winona Lake, and Paray-le-Monial, France; and Janice (and spouse Mark) Workman, Winona Lake; a brother, John (and spouse Willi) Shultz, Temecula, Calif.; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by her parents, a son and a daughter. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, with Pastor Bruce Barlow officiating. A private family graveside service will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Calling is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. ***** Memorials to Encompass World Partners, P.O. Box 3298, Monument, CO 80132 and designated to Montceau (France) Evangelism Fund. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
