Mary Adahleen White Barnes

Mary Adahleen White Barnes died peacefully at her home east of Ossian on Saturday morning , August 1, 2015 after a gradual decline over several years. She was visited by many friends and family during the 4 days leading up to her death.

Mary, the daughter of Clyde and Dora Hoopengardner White, was born on September 3, 1912. She grew up on Tanglewood Farm east of Ossian in the Elhanan community, graduating from Ossian High School in 1932 and St. Joseph School of Nursing in Ft. Wayne in 1937. She worked as a registered nurse at Holy Family Hospital in LaPorte IN. That is where she met Richard J. [Jack] Barnes from Wabash IN. They were married in Ossian on January 7, 1942. Jack died in 1999.

Mary was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Aubrey White in 2006, her brother Edwin "Buss" White in 1984, and her twin sister Kathleen White Auer in 1958. Her grandson Ian Barnes died in 1991.

Her sister Betty White Sheehan Dybbro of Lacey, Washington survives. Other survivors include her children Elizabeth "DeWayne" Oakes of Ossian; Karen "Richard" Gorrell of Leo; and Richard "Margy" Barnes of Fort Wayne. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law Linda Wood Barnes of Ft. Wayne. Grandchildren include Richard "Ted" (Jodi Foreman) Oakes of Ossian, Mary Anne (Scott) Sherry of Monroe OH, John (Stacey Shadle) Oakes of Ossian, Derek (Beth Stewart) Barnes of Bradenton FL, Myah (Josh) St. John of Ft Wayne, Candas (Jeff) DeHoff of Bluffton, and Camille (Andy) Schuelke of Ft. Wayne. There are13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson, Gavin Robinson. She was a good aunt to 15 nieces and nephews and had a treasury of friends.

Mary worked for many years as a pediatric nurse at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. She retired in 1982.

Mary was an active member of the Ossian Presbyterian Church for many years. Her great- great grandfather was a founding member of the Elhanan Church in the 1840’s that merged with the Ossian Presbyterian Church in 1925.

Her paternal great-great grandparents, Robert and Helen Yule, came to Jefferson Township from Glasgow, Scotland in the 1830s. Their daughter, Janet Yule Ferguson, married Charles White who had come to Ossian from Glasgow around 1850. Her maternal great- grandparents John and Louisa Sarah Fairbanks Lepper and grandparents, Lewis and Lydia Lepper Hoopengardner, were all early arrivers in Wells County. Her paternal grandmother was related to the Porters and Clarks, also early settlers.

As was said of both her mother and grandmother, she was always looked upon by friends and neighbors as a good Christian woman and a loving mother.

A celebration of life will be led by Pastor Lyle Ewing on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Ossian Presbyterian Church at 2 pm with calling one hour before the service. A reception with be held in the church fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Ossian Presbyterian Church or Visiting Nurse of Ft. Wayne.