FORT WAYNE – Mary Evelyn Wease, 88 years, 10 months and four days, died at 12:48 a.m. Sept. 9, 2016, at The Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. She was born Nov. 5, 1927, in Atwood, to Roy L. and Esther Coral Adams. Growing up as one of five children, she shared her childhood with two sisters and two brothers. With great Flyer pride, she graduated from Akron High School in 1945. The majority of her life was spent in the Kosciusko and Fulton County communities. Mary and Delbert "Earl" Cox were married on Nov. 26, 1945, in Akron. Together they enjoyed more than 28 years of life's adventures. From their union came five wonderful children: Martha, Phyllis, Daniel, Linda and David. A favorite family memory was taking the kids to the drive-in movie. They enjoyed popcorn while staying toasty under the blanket and watching the movie of the day. In addition to being a mother and wife, she kept the books for the family's farming operation. Annually a truck-patch garden was planted. Each fall the bountiful harvest was frozen and canned by Mary for her family's winter use. At the age of 44, Earl passed away on Dec. 27, 1973. In Athens on May 18, 1975, Mary and Paul B. Wease were united in marriage. Blending their families, she added three children to the family tree. They shared more than 34 years together until his passing on May 7, 2009. Paul and Mary enjoyed travel and vacations, visiting all 48 continental states. As a public servant, Mary was active in local government. She served as deputy clerk-treasurer for the city of Rochester during Janet Copeland's tenure. Many will remember Mary as a member of the Fulton County treasurer's team working with her daughter, Phyllis. With a warm smile she was always there to assist friends and answer their questions. She also enjoyed working as a bookkeeper at Candlish Realty, Peru, Fulton's Co-op and the Rochester Hallmark. A woman of strong faith, she was a loyal and devoted member of Liberty Baptist Church. She served her church a variety of ways, including church secretary and treasurer. She enjoyed Bible study groups and Sunday school class. With a caring heart, as a beacon of light for friends and shut-ins, she shared her faith by making home visits, leading prayer and reading from her Bible. She was an accomplished seamstress, making clothing for her children during their youth. Sewing dresses for the girls and shirts for the boys was her forte. She continued, learning the art of quilting and completing beautiful gifts of warmth for her children, grandchildren and special friends. To relax she watched “Gunsmoke,” “Andy Griffith” and westerns on TV. As the matriarch of the Cox-Wease families, Grandma Mary was quite proud to oversee five generations. She conducted extensive genealogy-research for the Adams family, enjoying each discovery and family connection. From her kitchen command post she hosted many holiday events and family celebrations. She always prepared a fitting feast; no meal was complete without dessert. She was well-known for her made-from-scratch, New York-style cheesecake. She always treasured time spent with her family. Grandma Mary leaves her family legacy many wonderful memories and gifts; the most prominent are her resilience, spiritual faith and strong work ethic. Left to cherish Mary's memory are three daughters: Martha Rose (and husband John), Mentone; Phyllis Biddinger (and husband Virgil), Rochester; and Linda King, Bremen; two sons: Daniel Cox (and wife Joyce) Loveland, Colo., and David Cox (and wife Karen), Plymouth; a stepdaughter, Marianne Wease, Kokomo; two stepsons: Bob Wease, Peru, and Jim Wease, Hemet, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; three step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Betty Busch (and husband Bob), Syracuse; a brother: William “Bill” Adams (and wife Ardith), Rochester; two sisters-in-law: Kathy Adams, Rochester, and Geneva Wease, Bloomington; a brother-in-law, Wendell Wease (and wife Twila), Mitchell; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her were her parents; husbands Earl and Paul; an infant granddaughter, Rita Diane Biddinger; a sister, Beatrice "Bea" Gordon; and a brother, James Adams. A celebration of the life of Mary Evelyn Wease will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester, with Pastor Bill McSpadden officiating. Calling is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Athens Hoover Cemetery. ***** Memorials to Liberty Baptist Church, 2089 Liberty Road, Rochester, IN 46975; or to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814. Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com
