Mary Frances Lutz Birnell

Mary Birnell, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 22, 2025. She was born October 6, 1932, in Paris, Arkansas. She worked in Greencastle for many years as a nurse’s aide at Sunset Manor and Asbury Towers, as well as cleaning houses.

Mary was a stickler for things done right and also had a sparkling sense of humor. She liked to travel and especially got a kick out of spur-of-the-moment road trips to visit her family in Missouri. She held fond memories of living next to the fairgrounds in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and going to the rodeo. Mary enjoyed gospel music, dancing, riddles, jokes, and the Sunday comics. She was known for her loyal friendship, her giant vegetable garden, her beautiful embroidery, and for nearly always winning at croquet, euchre, canasta, Scrabble, bingo, and dominoes.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Chris Birnell, daughter Sherri Neeley, great-great grandson Henry David Fraizer; sisters Dixie Hicks, Anna Hayes and Wanda Lutz; brothers Johnny Bill, Barney, Joe, and George Lutz; and her parents Stella and William Lutz.

Mary’s survivors include daughters Debbie (Dale) Chew and Cynthia (Tony) Hanks, son-in-law Gordon Neeley, brother Frank (Bonnie) Lutz, sister Linda (Herman) Todd; grandchildren Mike (Jessica) Fraizer, Andy (Dana) Fraizer, Abby (Matt) Chew, Ed (Kris) Chew, Emily Chew, great grandson Michael (Lizzie) Fraizer, great grandchildren Audrey Chew, Harper Chew, Georgia Dale Reynolds, great-great grandson Brantley Fraizer, many beloved nieces and nephews and their families, and treasured friends in the Greencastle and Asbury Towers communities.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday June, 14th 2025 at 11:00 AM at Brick Chapel United Methodist Church 3547 US Highway 231 Greencastle IN. A lunch at the church will follow the service, bring only a favorite memory and share stories.