Mary Jane Brownfield

Today we celebrate the beautiful life of a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and neighbor. Her genuine warmth and joyful spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. She entered heaven on May 8th, 2025, at the age of 87 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mary Jane was born in Louisville, Kentucky on September 2nd, 1937, to Leo and Margaret Schieman. The second child behind Richard (Dick) Schieman She was a graduate of Holy Spirit Elementary and Sacred Heart Academy High School in Louisville and spent a couple of years studying at Bellarmine College. Mary Jane married Jerry Brownfield on September 25th 1958. She and Jerry had four children who were the primary focus of her long and exciting life, and 7 grandchildren whom she too dedicated her life.

Her kindness and love for others was infectious having lifelong friends in both Louisville and Indianapolis. She spent over 20 years working as a hostess for Steak & Ale and O’Charley’s restaurants. All of this after her children were grown and left home. Many of her customers became lifelong friends – a testament to the kindness of her heart anywhere she went. After many years on the eastside of Indianapolis, where numerous Warren Township neighbors are still beloved friends, she moved to her current home on the southside. There, she was active in the community and had many close dear neighbors and friends.

Mary Jane is survived by her children Gary, Doug, Lisa, Susan and their respective spouses Bill, Carrie, Joe and Joe. As well as her grandchildren, Ashley, Alexa, Brittany, Abbey, Brooke and Alana. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard and her precious grandson, Austin.

A visitation will be held Thursday May 15th at Feeney-Hornak Shadeland Mortuary, 1307 N. Shadeland Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219 from 4 to 8 p.m., as well as Friday May 16th in the morning between 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow, to be celebrated by Fr. Michael O’Mara on Friday morning at 11:00 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 E. 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219, followed by a procession to Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memoriam to Community MD Anderson Cancer – North at give.ecommunity.com, or Holy Spirit Catholic Church Eastside at holyspirit-indy.org.