Mary Jane Elston

August 25, 1922 - November 15, 2016

Mary Jane (Cowens) Elston, (94 years) of Bluffton, Indiana died on November 15 at Heritage Pointe in Warren where she was a resident since 2013. Mrs. Elston was born August 25, 1922 in Bluffton to William Franklin and Nella (Fisher) Cowens. She was a 1940 graduate of Petroleum High School. She married Henry Elston on September 20, 1944 in Muncie. Survivors include two daughters, Janet (Richard) Sheffer of Valparaiso, IN and Joyce (Marshall) Dantzler of Chantilly, VA; 3 grandchildren Donald (Nicole) Sheffer of Valpariso, IN, Mark Dantzler of Carol Stream, IL, and Brian Dantzler of Morgantown, WV, and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Elston was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; two sisters Helen Elizabeth Nichols and Alice Ann Lash; and two brothers John Orville Cowens and Charles Robert Cowens. Mrs. Elston was an original Caylor-Nickel Hospital staff member working in the hospital, laboratory and research lab. During World War II, she worked at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA. She was long time members of the First United Methodist Church of Bluffton and the Crescent Chapter 25, Order of the Eastern Star. Calling will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday with Pastor Steve Bard and Rev. Cindy Osgood officiating at the funeral home. An Eastern Star Memorial Service will be held as part of the funeral service. Burial will be at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton. Memorials may be made in Mary Jane Elston’s memory to The First United Methodist Church in Bluffton, Indiana.