Mary Ella Emenhiser Geesaman

Mary Ella Emenhiser Geesaman, 92, died on October 20, 2018. Before that occurred, I chose to write my obituary. I made that choice because I want to share with my family and friends one of God’s greatest blessings for me – a life filled with joy. I experienced the joy of hard work and love of family early as I was one of 15 children growing up on a farm outside of Harlan, Indiana, during the depression. My mom and dad worked hard. They taught all of us that hard work, good food, laughter, love for one another, and love of God were essential to a joyful life. My brothers and sisters have all passed except for my dear sister, Ruth Wonderly, of Hicksville, Ohio. She remains a joy to me through all these years. I also had the joy of attending and graduation from nursing training at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I spent nearly all my working life at that hospital and later achieved the title, “Director of Staff Education.” While in nursing training another great joy came into my life, namely my husband of 60 years, Bob. With Bob came the joy of being a part of his family; his two brothers and his three year old sister, now Pat Snyder of Oregon, Illinois. She has been my sister-in-law for 74 years. Together, Bob and I experienced the joy of serving our church, St. Joe Methodist, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for many years. And the joy just kept coming. This time the joy was and is in the form of my dear sons; Ken, Kerry (Sue,), Kevin (Stacy), and Karl (Debbie). As age became my necessary friend, I found great joy in watching and interacting with my grandchildren; Adam (Cameron) and their children, Austin, Cohen, and Dylan; Kory (Rachael) and their children, Jordyn, Kynlee, and Kellen; Aric (Autumn) and their children, Karl, Jude and Galen; Lindsey (Andy Meyer) and their children; Noah and Rylie; Whitney (David Bazzoni) and their daughter, Natalie; Joshua; Allison (James Callahan) and their child Mary Ella; and Tyler (Adriane). But mostly I took great joy in watching my sons and their wonderful wives be quality parents. Such parenting skills were a blessing to watch and to hold close to my heart. Those parenting skills are now being demonstrated by my grandchildren so I know my family will continue moving forward with the blessing of joy in their lives. One last joy, please don’t grieve for me long because in the afternoon of October 20, 2018, I made “a joyful noise unto the Lord,” and he heard me. May God’s blessings pour out abundantly on all of you. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018, at St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 6004 Reed Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46835. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815. Burial will take place in Scipio Cemetery, Harlan, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fort Wayne.