COLUMBIA CITY — Mary Louise Rowland, 84, South Whitley, died at 11 p.m. March 19, 2017, at Peabody Home, North Manchester, where she had been a resident since Jan. 10. She was born Aug. 29, 1932, in Jackson Township, Kosciusko County, a daughter of Benjamin and Susie Maloy Jontz. Her formative years were spent in Kosciusko County. She graduated from Silver Lake High School and continued her education at Ivy Tech. On Jan. 3, 1953, she was united in marriage to Duane M. Rowland. They made their home in Silver Lake. While Duane served in the U.S. Navy, they lived in San Diego, then returning to Silver Lake and in 1969 to Cleveland Township, Whitley County. She worked at DePuy Manufacturing in Warsaw, Chamberlin Products in South Whitley, Manchester College as a cook, and as a food service director at Peabody Retirement Community for over 17 years. Her memberships included West Eel River Church of the Brethren and American Dietetic Association. Surviving relatives include her husband of 64 years, Duane; three sons: Mike (Ginny) Rowland, Columbia City; Dan (Julia) Rowland, South Whitley; and James (Kathy) Rowland, North Manchester; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded by two sisters, Martha Jontz and Kathryn Metzger; and a brother, Robert Jontz. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to West Eel River Church of the Brethren. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithandsons funeralhome.com.
