Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary Jane Creakbaum Elder

March 16, 1914 - April 28, 2002

South Bend Tribune 5/1/2002

Mary Jane Creakbaum-Elder, 88, of East Third Street, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away on Sunday, April 28, in the Countryside Place Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Mishawaka.

On March 16, 1914, Mary Jane was born in Mishawaka as the daughter of the late Walter and Amelia Louise (Wilke) Knoblock. Mary Jane was preceded in death by two brothers.

On June 17, 1939, as the former Mary Jane Knoblock, she married Lester Creakbaum, who preceded her in death on Sept. 20, 1983, after 44 years of marriage.

Then, on Jan. 4, 1987, in Mishawaka, she married Donald Elder, a Michigan farmer and a former childhood sweetheart. They had been married for 15 years.

Mary Jane is survived by her husband, Donald; two daughters, Sue Phillipoff of Farmington, Mich., and Leslie (Mike) Groh of Mishawaka; one son, Jon (Samantha) Creakbaum of Granger, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Matthew and Beth Phillipoff, Kristin and Corey Groh, Jason, Jessie and Braxton Creakbaum; one sister, Martha Buchan of Phoenix, Ore.; one sister-in-law, Lenora Elder of Plymouth, Ind.; one stepdaughter and three stepsons; and by 18 step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.

Mary Jane was a lifetime area resident. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mishawaka for 33 years. She was a former chairperson of the Mary Martha Circle (UMW). In 1968 she received the "George" Award of Mishawaka for community service. From 1970 to 1973 she was president of the Mishawaka High School PTA. In 1973 she became a lifetime member of Indiana Congress PTA. Mary Jane was a lifetime member of the Mishawaka Campfire, 20-year membership Mishawaka Campfire Council. In 1970 she received the Luther Halsey Gulich Camp Fire Award. Last year she was the main speaker for the "Relay for Life" Rally at Penn High School. She has been a cancer survivor now for 39 years. This year she attended the rally and had the distinction of being pushed around the track by the Notre Dame leprechaun. She has also been called one of Mishawaka's leading citizens by Mayor Bob Beutter. This comment was made because she served as a leader for 17 years in the PTA of Bingham elementary school (now city hall). She helped raise funds for that renovation as well as for the YMCA and church fundraisers.

Mary Jane had fond memories of camping and traveling all over the U.S. with her family. She had a very positive attitude about life and her love for her church, family and her Savior, Jesus Christ. Cancer did not get her down because the Lord held her up. She is a prayer warrior.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today, May 1st, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2nd, with visitation one hour prior to the service in the Chapel of Good Shepherd, First United Methodist Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Ron Bowman officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 535 W. Edison, Unit #6, Mishawaka, IN 46545.