Mary Elizabeth Maxwell Jelinek

CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Mary Elizabeth Maxwell Jelinek, age 100, of Centerville, went home to be with the Lord in glory, on Sunday, January 17, 2016, at Ambassador Healthcare. Mary was born on April 13, 1915, in Omaha, Nebraska, to J. Truitt and Alice Barbara “Maude” Mehl Maxwell. She attended schools in five different cities, as the family moved for her father’s career with the YMCA, including seven years spent in the Philippines. Mary graduated from high school in Omaha, Nebraska, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Omaha University. She obtained her R.N. degree from Immanuel Hospital (Lutheran Deaconess Institute) School of Nursing in 1940. Later, Mary did graduate work at Columbia University. She worked for many years as a school nurse for the Omaha Public Schools. Mary was an active member of Benson Presbyterian Church in Omaha. She enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, and continued to best her family and friends in different card games, even well past age 100. Mary was an avid correspondent, both making cards and writing letters to friends and family all of her life. In 2003, when Mary was 88, she moved to Centerville, Indiana, to live with her daughter, Sheila Iverson, and her family. She became an active and faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Indiana, which embraced her as a sister in Christ, and she made many dear friends. In 2014, at the age of 99, she moved to Ambassador Healthcare. The family especially thanks Mary’s two special caregivers, Callie Hayes and Tammy Shiverdecker, for their years of tender loving care. How dearly she loved you both. We would also like to thank the staff of Ambassador Healthcare, especially Valarie, both Michelles, Leigh Anne, Patricia, Shirley, Sara, Kathy, Mary, and Allen. Survivors include her daughters, Sheila (John) Iverson of Centerville, Indiana, and Stephanie (Gary) Wright of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Michael (Kelli) Hall of Omaha, Nebraska, Rebecca (Tom) Tesauro of Gastonia, North Carolina, David (Tonya) Sukup of Davenport, Iowa, J. Peter Iverson of Porto Alegre, Brazil, and Matthew Iverson of Centerville, Indiana; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sara Hall; parents; sister, Margaret Smithson; and brother, Frank Maxwell. Mary’s wish was to be cremated and her ashes spread in the Iversons’ forest. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Mills Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, Centerville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. 10th Street, Richmond, IN 47374; Indiana Donor Network, 3760 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46222; or Habitat for Humanity of Greater Richmond, 1114 South F Street, Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Mary Elizabeth Maxwell Jelinek

April 13, 1915 - January 17, 2016