It is with great sadness that we share news of the loss of Mary Elaine Kirchner to the scourge of cancer at the age of 80. Born Mary Elaine Stephenson, August 29,1946 in Muncie Ind., she spent the majority of her life in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her surviving husband of 46 years John R. Kirchner.
Elaine had a passion for animals that knew no bounds. She was a volunteer at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo until she was hired on as a full-time zookeeper and later as the head keeper for the Australian exhibit. She was a proud member of the American Association of Zookeepers. Her own children as well as the others in the neighborhood were thrilled by the baby animals she brought home to care for when the zoo was closed. Lion cubs, bears, monkeys and many kangaroos saw the inside of her home. Elaine raised the kangaroos from infants when their mothers wouldn’t care for them, and it was common to see her out and about with a cloth bag around her neck with a joey sticking out of it.
With a fondness for sampling worldly cuisines, Elaine loved to travel. She was also very involved with The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, serving on the Church Board of Trustees as well as numerous committees.
Her love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was one of Elaine’s defining characteristics. She always had a ready treat and no shortage of toys in the house along with a book at the ready to read to any kids that hopped in her lap.
Surviving family members include, John Kirchner, son Richard (Monica) Turner and daughter Laura (Tony) Turner-Ziko and grandchildren Casey Schroeder, Keirsten (Andrew) Lulling, Gabrielle (Michael) Perrington, Benjamin Turner, Jessica (Hunter) Coyle, Nicholas Turner, Aaron (Bailey) Peters and Giavanna Ziko. Survivors also include great-grandchildren Dean and Liam Perrington and Jameson, Maverick and Emersyn Peters and Maya Lulling.
Funeral service will be held at 12 pm on, Wednesday, September 16, 2026 with visitation two hours prior at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St Joe Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46835.
To honor her love of the zoo and wildlife, please feel free to make donations to the Fort Wayne Zoo or Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne.
