Mary A. Burge

Mary A. Burge, 72, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and former Republic resident, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021, at the Bethlehem Woods Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne.

She was born July 27, 1948 in Tiffin, to Ivan and Leota (Neikirk) Reiter. Mary married Robert E. Burge on November 19, 1976, at the Republic United Church of Christ, and he survives in Fort Wayne.

Other survivors include two sons, Chad (Traci Jo) Whipple of Kendallville, Indiana, Shane (Amanda) Burge of Mexico, four grandchildren, Kayla Williams, Abby Whipple, Micah and Isaiah Burge and many great-grandchildren, one sister, Joyce Roof, of Dunkirk, Ohio, a sister in-law Mary Lou Reiter of Republic.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Nevin, Curt, Michael Reiter, a sister, Cleo “Sissy” Reiter” Puffenberger, and a sister-in-law Janet Reiter.

She was a 1966 graduate of Republic-Scipio High School. Mary worked as a bookkeeper, a student loan officer, a secretary, and over the counter sales, before retiring.

Mary enjoyed all of her life, especially crafting, scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, and genealogy, and traveling, socializing, and shopping. She treasured relationships with family and friends, and times spent together were her most precious memories. Her past few years have been a difficult with her dementia diagnosis. She even expressed, “I don’t know what this is, but it sure has ruined my life. She will be deeply missed, but we thank the Lord she is now whole and healed.

A walk through visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, January 13, 2021, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. at the Lindsey-Shook Funeral Home, 3085 S. SR. 19 Bloomville. Visitors are asked to wear masks and social distance as they pay their respects and also for services.

Services will be Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 11:00 am., at the funeral home, with Rev. Darla Metz officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Farewell Retreat Cemetery in Republic.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600 Doylestown, PA. 18901.

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