Mary Jo Gard

She was born on February 15, 1930 in Noble County, Indiana, the daughter of the late Franklin and Nina (Weaver) Growcock.

She was a graduate of Rome City High School in 1948.

Mary Jo and Ernest Gard were united in marriage in 1948. They farmed together until Ernest passed away in 1964. The family farm continues to this day and Mary Jo lived in the farm house for 70 years.

Mary Jo retired from the Farm Bureau Co-Op. She was also a 75 year member of the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association-Merry Mixers Club.

Survivors include daughters, Vicki (Art) Hutter of Auburn, Indiana, Kay Clark of Fremont, Indiana and Sharon Edwards of Fort Wayne, Indiana, son, Steven Gard of Fremont, Indiana, Step-sons, Roger (Amy) Green and Tony (Jodie) Green, both of Angola, Indiana, sisters, Nancy (Harold) Fulford of Wawaka, Indiana and Beverly (Ray) Groves of Albion, Indiana, sister-in-law, Linda Growcock of Albion, Indiana, brother, Jim (Kathy) Growcock of Wolcottville, Indiana, grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Betts, Erin (David) Ley, Gregory (Lindsay) Clark, Benjamin (Sarah) Hutter and Nathaneal Gard, twelve great-grandchildren, Katie, Karringten, Joselyn, Phoenix, Zachary, Westin, Braxton, Ryan, Shawn, Remington, Chaz and Bryndyn.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ernest Gard and Harold Green, parents, Franklin and Nina Growcock, sisters, Donna, Jean, Shirley and Peggy, and brothers, Robert and Larry.

Visitation will be held from 3 pm until 7 pm Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. Also one hour of visitation will be held prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Beams Funeral Home. Mori Church will officiate the service.

Burial will follow at Fremont Cemetery, Fremont, Indiana.

Preferred memorial contributions may be directed to Heartland Hospice, 2720 Dupont Commerce Ct., Suite 210, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825 or to the Steuben County Extension Homemaker’s Building Fund, 317 S. Wayne Street, Angola, Indiana 46703. Or in lieu of flowers plant a tree in memory of Mary Jo.