Submitted by: Dan Rich
May 5, 1913 - Feb. 16, 2007
South Bend Tribune 2/20/2007
MISHAWAKA - Muriel Challinor, 93, living at Hubbard Hill Estates, Elkhart, Indiana, passed away Friday, February 16, 2007. Muriel was born on May 5, 1913, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the daughter of the late Otto O. and Essie Nettie (Schroy) George.
Muriel was also preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edwin J. Challinor, on March 16, 1984. Muriel is survived by three daughters, Nancy (Jim) Zawadzki of Watertown, CT, Edwina (Jon) Kintner of Mishawaka, IN, and Christine (Phil) Harris of Sussex, WI; five granddaughters, Debra Zawadzki of Hingham, MA, Jessica (Ray) Kintner Cruz of Moraga, CA, Whitney (Don) White of South Bend, IN, Elizabeth Harris of Madison, WI, and Kim Harris of Madison, WI; two grandsons, Edwin (Mason) Zawadzki of New York, NY, and Lindsey (Jennie) Kintner of Granger, IN. Also surviving is a sister, Althea (Bill) Walker of Atlanta, Georgia.
Muriel was an artist and art lover. She attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and went on to paint all her life. Her paintings are in collections coast to coast, as well as internationally. She has exhibited locally, in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. She was a teacher and mentor to many and found joy in sharing her talent and joy of life. Her sketches of Mishawaka scenes were used for the official City of Mishawaka Christmas cards for many years. She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. Nine great-grandchildren will especially miss their "Nanny." She was a member of First English Lutheran Church, South Bend Art Center (South Bend Regional Museum of Art), Friends of the Snite Museum and other arts groups, as well as a faithful South Bend Symphony supporter. She appreciated and found beauty everywhere - in her greenhouse flowers, shell collections, fossils, art books, photography, poetry, classical music and literature. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Hubbard Hill family for the many kindness and compassionate care to all of us and also to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care for their help along the journey.
Friends called from 2:00 to 4:00 Sunday, February 18th, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM Monday, February 19th, in First English Lutheran Church, Mishawaka. The Rev. Leonard Jepson officiated. Entombment followed at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made in Muriel's name to the First English Lutheran Church, 16495 Ireland Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544; or to the Arts Everywhere Fund in the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, 205 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601.