Mary E. Schneider

November 30, 1922 - April 15, 2021

Mary Eileen (Hardin) Schneider, age 98, died April 15, 2021 at home with family members at her side. She was born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis on November 30, 1922, the eldest child of Paul C. and Mary A. (Murphy) Hardin. She was a graduate of Brownsburg High School in 1941 and a former Miss Brownsburg. She was a talented pianist. Before marriage she played piano at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg and from her family’s front porch for local parades. Many years later our family acquired a baby grand piano. She delighted us all as she sat down and began playing various pieces from memory even though it had been more than 20 years since she had last played.

She married James W. Schneider on May 14, 1949. Their family quickly grew to include six children: Daniel (Sandra Basye), Timothy (Patricia Eby), Thomas (Randy Koehler), James, Eileen, and Michael (Deborah La Susa). They were blessed with twelve grandchildren: Amber Barnaby (Josh), Carissa Gullickson, Ashley Leventhal (Jeremy), Vanessa Wilson (Tyler), Clayton Schneider, Charles Schneider (fiancée Amanda Sullivan), Mikaela Schneider, John Schneider, Kyle Schneider, Gemma Schneider, Matthew Schneider, and Peter Schneider. She lived to see six great grandchildren: James (Eddie) and Thomas Barnaby, Jack and Ryan Leventhal, Max Gullickson and Brooks Wilson.

She worked and volunteered at many jobs (she was known for her shorthand and organizational skills) over the years: Wm. H. Block Co., Allison Transmission, St.Vincent’s Hospital, Little Sisters of the Poor, Brebeuf Preparatory, Amateur Athletic Union, and St. Luke Catholic Church. Her greatest joy and most cherished accomplishment was her family and home. From the beginning she wanted us to call her “Mother”, as she did her mother. Her kitchen was her castle. Her dinner parties were eagerly anticipated and widely attended. Her Manhattans were the delight of many a guest.

Mary was a proud member of St. Luke Catholic Church. She went to Sunday Mass regularly, participated in the Perpetual Adoration program and attended to the votive candles in the chapel for several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters: Martha J. Hardin, Ruth E. Kirby, and her brother William P. Hardin.

A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum, on Thursday, April 22nd at 1:00 pm, followed by entombment there. Please join us via livestream at 12:50 pm at the link below under scheduled services.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Leppert Mortuary.