- Date Of Birth: July 18, 1932
- Date Of Death: October 4, 2016
- State: Indiana
Mary Elizabeth Gard, 84, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, October 4.
She was born July 18, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of Ralph Karstetter and Elizabeth (McDonall) Karstetter.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Russell E. Gard, of Elkhart; three sons, Bob (Joni) Irwin and David (Tari) Gard, both of Elkhart and James (Jolene) Irwin of Oldsmar, Fla.; one daughter, Sara Jo (Graham) Broadwell, of Blanche, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Eric (Angela) Irwin, Emily Irwin (Brad Sissom), Robby (Caitlyn) Irwin, Coy Gard, Meridith Gard (Felipe Hernandez), Jamie (Wes) Baird, Joelle (Max) Kitchner, Rebecca Broadwell-Lee and Russell (Jennifer) Broadwell; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Irwin Sr., brother Ralph Karstetter and sister Delores Deter.
Mary graduated from high school in Three Rivers, Mich. She went on to work at Chester Law Firm as a legal secretary and at Brookdale Junior High School as school secretary and later as church secretaries for Hillcrest United Methodist Church, Simpson United Methodist Church and Faith United Methodist Church.
Over the years Mary was involved in many clubs and organizations including Delta Theta Tau Sorority, as member and past president; president and treasure of Elkhart General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary; very active in the United Methodist Women’s Group;United Methodist Aids Ministry; Parents without Partners; the Mr. and Mrs. Club; chairwoman of the administrative board of Faith United Methodist Church; past president of the American Lung Association; and a volunteer at Heart City Health Center.
She also served for many years as the surgery room hostess at Elkhart General Hospital.
