Mary Jane Howell

Mary Jane "Stoney" Howell, 93, of Columbus, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2015 from complications due to pneumonia. She was born on January 13, 1922 in Elyria to the late Stephen J. and Vera Mae (Coleman) Stone. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Martin "Bud", siblings Helen Ketelsen and Stephen Stone, sister-in-law Fran Schrack, and son-in-law Charles Mundy. She is survived by her daughters Michelle "Shelley" Mundy and Sandra "Cindy" (Alan Bond) Howell; grandchildren Katie Bond and Grant and Caroline Mundy; niece and nephews Sharyl (Hal) Ewart, Wade (Brenda) Smith and Kimm (Sheryl) Ketelsen; dear friend Marie Burelson; and beloved dachshund Tallulah. Stoney, as she was also known, graduated with honors from Purdue University with a BS in Microbiology. While at Purdue, she was president of Beta Iota chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity. After graduation, her first job was as a lab assistant at the Swift Meat Packing Company in Chicago. She served in the US Navy Waves during WWII, where she met her husband Bud in the aerographers training course of the Navy Weather Observation Division at Lakehurst, NJ. They were married September 7, 1946 in the Central Christian Church in Lake County, IN. Upon her arrival in Columbus, Mary worked as a microbiologist at Warren-Teed Pharmaceuticals, a part-time market researcher, and retired from Defense Construction Supply Company at age 72 after 20 plus years of service. She was a talented seamstress and an avid gardener who had great vision for her gardens. She was also a gourmet cook who made the best pumpkin pie ever and made sure every meal had the proper vegetables and fruit. Until her recent illness, she was an active member of the Franklin Park Conservatory Bonsai Club; Columbus Metropolitan Museum of Art; Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club; several bridge clubs including the First Community Village Bridge Group; and Mother-Daughter Group with Michelle and friends Marcy, Dorothy, Suzette, Francis, Linda, Betty, Allison, Margie, Sheri and Judy. She was a regular attendee at art openings at various galleries around town and a long-time member of First Community Church. A celebration of life service will be held at 6:30pm Friday, December 11, 2015 at the SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 North High Street, with Reverend James Long officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4:30pm until the time of the service. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 East Broad Street, Columbus 43203; or the OSU Chadwick Arboretum Fund 306837, care of The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 West Lane Avenue, Columbus 43221.