MARY E. (MAKIELSKI) HARSH

May 18, 1931 - Aug. 11, 2007
SOUTH BEND - Mary Ellen (Makielski) Harsh, 76, of Piedmont Way in South Bend, died in the home of her daughter Susan from complications related to Parkinson's disease on August 11, 2007, with her husband and three daughters at her bedside. Mary Ellen was born on May 18, 1931, the fourth child of Blaise ("Doc") and Mary (Varga) Makielski, both of whom preceded her in death.

Mary Ellen was a 1949 graduate of South Bend Central High School.

On June 25, 1955, she married Wayne Lloyd Harsh at St. Patrick's Church. Mary Ellen and Wayne have three daughters, Kathy (Bill) Jonas of South Bend, Susan (Barry) Adams and Rosemary (Karl) Kopec, both of Granger. Mary Ellen's greatest joy was her husband, daughters and seven grandchildren, Jessi, Mark and Mary Adams, Clare Kopec, and Amy, Ben and John Jonas. Mary Ellen had three older brothers, Jack Makielski (deceased), Jim Makielski of Vero Beach, Florida, and Bob Makielski of Westminster, California.

A lifelong area resident, Mary Ellen was formerly employed at Valley American Bank where she made great friends among her co-workers. Aside from her family, she was an avid fan of Indiana University sports, Andre Agassi and "her" Tiger Woods.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. this evening, August 15, in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 3516 East Jefferson. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 16, in St. Matthew Cathedral. Father Michael Heintz will preside at the funeral Mass. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Mary Ellen's family would like to thank Dr. John Jacobs and his staff, and Dr. Devin Zimmerman, as well as the compassionate nurses and other caregivers at Memorial Hospital and the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Aug. 14 to Aug. 15, 2007.

01/26/2023 EJS