Mary C. Lengel, 87, of rural Wabash, Indiana, died at 11:00 pm, Friday, December 30, 2022, at Wellbrooke of Wabash. She was born on October 26, 1935, in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Frederick A. and Susan M. Wittke.
Mary married Donald V. Lengel at St Bernard Catholic Church in Wabash, on September 11, 1954; he died August 12, 2012. Mary Co-owned Lengel’s Gun Shop with her husband Donald V. Lengel in Wabash for 30 years. During the time the gun shop was in business, Mary made all customers feel they were part of the family. Before her marriage, she attended nurses training in Ft Wayne. Mary also owned a ceramic studio for several years where she created many beautiful items and taught others to do the same. She was a member of St Bernard’s Catholic Church. Mary was active in the Art Guild of Wabash, art classes with Jo Wood, and had a special group of Art Ladies who attended weekly painting sessions at her home. Mary entered multiple art contests with her paintings and won several awards. Mary made a home for her family full of love, laughter, music, and learning. Mary also volunteered at the Life Center in Wabash and in their later years, Mary and Don were substitute drivers for Meals on Wheels, and also volunteered at the soup kitchen. Mary also enjoyed working puzzles, gardening, and being involved with any activities of the family.
She is survived by nine children, Kathryn Jones of Wabash, David Lengel of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Stephen (Lisa) Lengel of Urbana, Indiana, Patricia Godfroy of LaFontaine, Indiana, Christine (Michael) Paul and Dewayne (Julia) Lengel, both of Wabash, James (Armando Garcia Pascual) Lengel of San Francisco, California, Caroline (Steven) Nose of LaFontaine, and Amanda (David) Van Jelgerhuis of Fishers, Indiana; 30 grandchildren, Daniel (Tiffany) Barton of Andrews, Marie (Danny) Lloyd of LaFontaine, Josh Lengel, Abby Lengel, Libby Lengel, Sam Lengel, Crissi Lengel, Brianna Lengel, Cody Lengel, Amber Lengel, and Katie (John) Williams, all of Urbana, Ali Lengel of North Manchester, Margaret (Daniel) Ryggs and Evette (Nicholas) Honeycutt, both of Wabash, Greg (Marci) Lengel of Lafayette, Shellie (John) Kellerman of Detroit, Michigan, Jerry Lengel of Kokomo, Chase A Bush-McLaughlin of San Francisco, Luke and Nicholas Van Jelgerhuis, both of Fishers, Alexandra, Miranda, and Matthew Nose, all of LaFontaine, Lydia (Evan) Smith of Champagne, Illinois, Hannah Lengel of Winona Lake, Indiana, Abigail (Adam) Betts of Louisville, Kentucky, Andrew (Bethany) Campbell of McCordsville, Indiana, Alex (Tara Ayres) Paul of Wabash, Gina Smith of Peru, IN, 1st Lieutenant Rachael Godfroy of Manhattan, Kansas; 35 great-grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter; sisters and brother, Joann Smith of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Ted Wittke of Tucson, Arizona, Winnifred Bowling of Dillsboro, Indiana, and Barbara (Steve) Renz of Fort Wayne. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers James and Bernard Wittke, and her sister Gerlyn Wittke.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 188 W. Sinclair, Wabash, with Father Jay Horning officiating. Friends may call 3-7 pm Tuesday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave. Wabash, with a rosary service at 7:00 pm. Burial will be at a later date in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash.
Preferred memorial is St. Bernard Catholic Church.
The memorial guest book for Mary may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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