Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary Ann VanWiele

Feb. 26, 1920 - Feb. 20, 2003

South Bend Tribune 2/22/2003

Mary Ann VanWiele, 82 years of age, residing on South Fellows Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 9:52 a.m. Thursday, February 20, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, following a brief illness. On February 26, 1920 in South Bend, she was born to the late Leo & Janet (Shindville) Mahler. Mrs. VanWiele was a Central High School graduate, as well as a St. Joseph Nursing School graduate.

On April 11, 1942 in South Bend, she married Oscar VanWiele, who passed away on November 30, 1991, after forty-nine years of marriage.

Mrs. VanWiele was active in politics; she was a member of the St. Joseph County Democratic Women's Club, and volunteered during elections. During the 1950's and 60's, she worked at the Juvenile Detention Bureau and later in the 1960's, she went to work for the Portage Township Trustee, where she stayed for about twenty years, and was promoted to Inspector. Mrs. VanWiele was a longtime member of St. Matthew's Cathedral, where she was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society.

Survivors of Mrs. VanWiele include two daughters; Carol Ann VanWiele , and Katherine (Duane) Kurek; and a son; Robert Leo VanWiele, all of South Bend; three grandchildren, Jon Paul Kurek of Indianapolis, Andrea (Jonathan) Kurek Slagh of Mishawaka and Shaun Alexander VanWiele of Nappanee, as well as, a god son, John McLane of Mishawaka.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 24, in St. Matthews Cathedral, South Bend. Father Michael Heintz will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, where a Rosary will be said at 4:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Mary Ann VanWiele may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.