Mary Magdalene Earhart

Mary Magdalene (James) Earhart, 95, departed the morning of January 12, 2016 from her earthly home at Ossian Health and Rehabilitation Center, where she was loved for her spunk and happy wit, and entered her heavenly home. She was born August 26, 1920 at home in McDonald Township, Hardin County, OH to the late Clarence Edgar and Deanie Francis (Hunsperger) James. In 1929 her family moved to Foraker, OH and in 1933, to Youngstown, OH. In 1938 she graduated from Huntington High School and had worked at Krogers. August 26, 1939 she married Earnest Thurman Earhart and resided near Markle before moving to Ossian in 1945 to continue her life. Mary Magdalene was baptized on Palm Sunday 1943 at Markle Methodist Church. She and Earnest joined Ossian Methodist Church April 21, 1946. Mary was dedicated to her position of nurse’s aide at Lutheran Hospital from 1960 to 1970. She also was employed by Dow Chemical Company from 1972 to 1975. Because of her desire to care for others, she began home care nursing. She was drawn back to Lutheran Hospital from 1980 to 1985 where she loved caring for her babies at the child care center. Mary was devoted to the teachings of the Eastern Star. She served as Star Point Ruth and Martha and was also past matron, all at the Ossian Emerald Chapter. Their membership was then transferred to Waynedale Chapter 600. Mary was a member for over 63 years. The American Legion Auxiliary post in Bluffton challenged her to become the Ossian Poppy Day Spokesperson and she excelled and continued her membership, totaling 63 years. Surviving are her children, Earnest (Barbara) Earhart of Katy, TX and Judith (Tim) Kaehr of Ossian; grandsons, Philip (Danielle) of Biloxi, Miss., Christopher (Hanh) of Sugar Land, TX, David (Mary) of Carmel, IN, and Daniel of Ossian; step grandsons, Bo (Sarah) of Houston, TX and Scott of Iowa; brother, Clarence James of Dayton, OH; eight great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews, Deidere, Kevin, Terry, Lorn, Lance, and Diane. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Thurman Earhart July 22, 1973; and sisters, Lula James and Eileen Murphy. Funeral service will be Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 2 PM at Ossian United Methodist Church, 201 West Mill Street, Ossian, IN 46777 with visitation 1 hour prior. Visitation will also be on Saturday, January 16, 2016 from 2 to 5 PM at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Funeral Home 120 West Mill Street, Ossian, IN 46777, concluding with an Eastern Star service at 5 PM. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ossian United Methodist Church or Shriner Children’s Hospital. .