Mary Elizabeth (DeKock) Stiles, passed away on March 15, 2013. Mary was born Jan. 9, 1933, in Hebron, Ind., to Jerphaas (John) DeKock and Helen (Keller) DeKock. She was the 2nd of 4 daughters.
Mary spent 75 years as a part of the Hebron community; she was a graduate of Hebron High School; an employee of the Hebron schools, former Citizen’s National Bank and Northwest Indiana Telephone Company; a lifetime member of the Hebron United Methodist Church; and raised her family there. In 2006, Mary moved to Greenfield, to be near daughter Diane and her grandchildren.
Mary was married to Donald Sherman in 1950 and had her first daughter, Donna with him. Mary married Tom Stiles in 1960, and had Diane. They were married 35 years. Mary became a widow in 1995 when Tom died from ALS. Mary always valued education and encouraged both daughters to pursue higher education. She also earned an associate’s degree in Business at Purdue University in 2000. Mary enjoyed traveling, taking trips throughout the United States and Europe. She spent recent winters in Arizona and Florida golfing and playing cards with her friends and family. Other values held dear by Mary were keeping fit, hard work, and thrift. She always stressed the importance of maintaining relationships with her family and friends and let those around her know how much she loved them. An avid reader, Mary was a fan of public libraries which was in keeping with her sense of thrift. Despite this tendency, Mary was generous with family, friends, and those in need. She had a highly developed sense of justice and fairness. Mary also appreciated her Dutch heritage.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents, John and Helen; sister, Martha; and step-mother, Charlotte (Doyle Knarr) DeKock. She is survived by sisters, Kathryn Searle and Helen (and Max) Fishero; daughters, Donna (and William) Grush and Diane Stiles; 4 grandchildren, Kathryn Fink, Eric Fink, Maria Wilson, and Shannon Wilson; 3 step-grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian Dale)Grush-Dale, Michael (Debra) Grush, and Julie Grush; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place from 2 until 3 p.m.on Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. A celebration of life will take place on Sunday March 24, 2013, at 1 p.m. CST at Hebron United Methodist Church. A small meal will follow at the back of the church. Private burial will follow.
Donations can be made to Planned Parenthood, the Hebron United Methodist Church scholarship program, Community Hospitals of Indianapolis Foundation or to the donor’s choice.
Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
