Mary Ellen Gerrard

Mary E. Gerrard, 86, passed away June 29, 2018, in Meadows Manor North. She was born May 8, 1932, in Hymera, Ind., to George Deakins and Ethel Bedwell Deakins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Gerrard; and three brothers, Paul Deakins, LeVern Deakins and Charley Bill Deakins; and three sisters, Lois Hoopingarner, Olive Williamson and Betty Cannon. Mary is survived by one son, Stephen (Patti) Gerrard, Largo, Fla.; two daughters, Susan L. (David) Bates, Terre Haute, and Kelli J. (David) Devine, Dyer Ind.; one brother, Robert Deakins, Terre Haute; one sister, Phyllis Aleshire, Terre Haute; six grandchildren, Brad (Michelle) Gerrard, Benicia, Calif., Brooke (Josh) Sutton, Largo, Fla., Jeremy Bates (Beth Frederick), Terre Haute, Jaclyn (Anthony) Nowak, Terre Haute, and Taylor Devine and David Devine, both of Dyer, Ind.; and nine great-grandchildren. Mary retired as a secretary from the Vigo County School Corp. after 27 years of service. She loved music and dancing, and was known as "Ellen the Clown" to her grandchildren. She also loved children and animals. Mary was always smiling. Mary loved anything sweet and you would always find her eating desserts. She also loved being outside and working in her yard. She would walk every morning for exercise and was hard to keep up with! Mary was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who was always looking out for everyone. She will truly be missed. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Roselawn Funeral Home. Services will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. David Rockhill officiating. Entombment will be in the Chapel of Memories at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mary's memory be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.roselawnfuneralhome.net