Mary Jean Wehrle

Mary Jean Wehrle, 81, of Cleveland, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Born in Cleveland and raised in Euclid, Mary was the beloved daughter of the late Robert Harrison Wehrle and Margaret Campbell Whelan Wehrle.

Mary was a devoted and loving sister to Margaret “Peg" Wehrle (John Tooley) and to her late sister, Ellen Louise Wehrle (Richard Pokorny). She was a cherished aunt to Amy Tooley (Jamie Shairrick), Wes Tooley, Brad Pokorny (Jenny), and Meghan Pokorny, and a proud and loving great-aunt to Gavin Trader. Mary’s nieces and nephews have fond memories of playing card and board games with her.

A lifelong learner with a deep compassion for others, Mary graduated from Euclid High School in 1962. She earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Muskingum College in 1966 and her master’s degree in Social Work from the School of Applied Social Science at Case Western Reserve University in 1969. Mary dedicated her career to helping children and families, retiring from Cuyahoga County Children’s Services after many years of faithful service. Justice and human rights were very important to Mary and was reflected in her many years as a poll worker at her local voting precinct.

Mary found joy in both the arts and community. She was a longtime usher at Playhouse Square, where she delighted in sharing her love of theater, and she proudly served on the Board of the May Dugan Community Center. She loved to travel and enjoyed taking family history related trips with Peg and John. She knit with care and creativity, and surround herself with beauty through her collections of pottery, kaleidoscopes, and antiques—each piece reflecting her curiosity and appreciation for life’s details. She was also a devoted and loving dog owner, especially of rescue sheepdog mixes, finding constant companionship and joy in the dogs who shared her life over the years.

All services will be private. Mary will be laid to rest at Knollwood Cemetery in Mayfield Heights. She will be remembered for her kindness, quiet generosity, and the many lives she touched with her compassion. Mary’s family wants to acknowledge and thank Mary’s health care team at Metro and her many supportive friends and neighbors.