Mary F. Freel

Mary F. Freel, 91, of Mishawaka, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Rudolf and Rose (Varga) Markl. After the death of her father when she was three, her mother moved back to the South Bend-Mishawaka area. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1946 and attended IUSB receiving training with the South Bend Medical Foundation as a Laboratory Technician.  Later, Mary worked for several local doctors.

On June 26, 1948, Mary married Marvin Freel in St Patrick’s Catholic Church, South Bend. She is survived by her sister Rose Varga of Sierra Vista, Arizona; three daughters, Kathleen (Ernest) Young of Mishawaka, Bonita Raschein of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and Anna-Marie (Andrew) Wierzbicki of South Bend; two sons, Brother Chester Freel, CSC of Notre Dame, Indiana and John (Rose) Freel of Elkhart; eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Preceding her in death was her beloved husband, Marvin; and one grandson, Joseph Raschein.

Mary was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Mishawaka, serving on the Parish Council and was a member of the Rosary Society where she served as treasurer and secretary for many years. She was also a Campfire Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, and active with the Catholic Committee on Scouting for several years as witnessed by being a recipient of its Saint Ann’s Award. In addition, while Mary’s children were at home, she assisted for twenty years as a school crossing guard with the Mishawaka Police Department.

She loved traveling, fishing, gardening, and tent-camping across the United States on family vacations. Later, Mary and Marvin greatly enjoyed traveling throughout the world visiting places of interest and family heritage.

The Mass of Resurrection will be at 11:00 am on Friday, October 19th at Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel, Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame. Viewing and Visitation with her family will precede the Mass beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations in Mary’s memory be made to Holy Cross Village.

Arrangements are under the care of Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka.