Mary Ann Surface

ELKHART - Mary Ann Surface, age 80 of Elkhart, Indiana was called to be with the Lord on May 13, 2022.  She was born to Carlisle and Elnora (Emerson) Ervin who are deceased.
            She married Thomas L. Surface on June 16, 1962, at the Salvation Army Citadel in Elkhart.  They met at the beginning of their sophomore year of high school and married after their sophomore year of college.
            Surviving is husband Tom, three sons: Donald (Dawn) Surface of Elkhart, Gary Surface of Cape Coral FL, Zachary Surface of Elkhart and three daughters: Elizabeth of Muncie, Ann Perez of Elkhart, and Katherine Huffman of Illinois, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Mary Ann and Tom also provided a home for foster children, an exchange student from New Zealand, nieces, nephews, and others whenever needed.  Preceding her in death were her grandparents, parents, sisters Sally (Dave) Edwards and Peggy Wentworth and brother Theodore Ervin, two infant grandchildren and many aunts and uncles.
            Mary Ann attended Osolo Elementary, Central Junior High, and graduated in 1960 from Elkhart High School.  She attended Bethel College for 1 year before transferring to Marion College (Indiana Wesleyan University) where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education. She received her Masters from IUSB and her Educational Specialist at IU Bloomington.  She also attended classes at other universities and colleges for professional development and was chosen to attend the Robert A. Taft Institute. After teaching for 35 years, she retired from Osolo Elementary where she began her journey as a child.
            As a young person Mary Ann participated in 4-H and as an adult she was a member of Faculty Wives Club, and a member of Sigma Delta PI. She was a member of the Elkhart Teachers Association where she served a term as secretary. She served on the boards of BABES and represented the Elkhart Community Schools on the YWCA.  She belonged to ISTA where she served on the state Political Action Committee. While serving on this committee she was invited to spend the day at the White House by President Jimmy Carter. It was a very special day considering she was a Republican.  She also lobbied at the state and national levels for education.
            For 14 years Mary Ann was a faithful member of the Osolo Missionary Church involved in many activities related to young children and youth groups. Then she became a member at Winding Waters Brethren Church for thirty-five years where she also taught Sunday School classes, organized funeral dinners, served for 12 years as mission chairperson, and 11 years on the Board of Directors.  She spent hours on mission work and enjoyed her mission trips to Argentina, Brazil, and numerous journeys to Lost Creek, KY. After Winding Waters closed, she and Tom attended Adamsville Road Church of God where they managed the food pantry and continue to serve the Lord.
            She and her husband loved to travel. She visited most of the 50 states and nineteen countries–several more than once.  Mary Ann’s favorite places were Key West, Florida; Jackson, Wyoming; and Prince Edward Island, Canada.  Besides traveling, Mary Ann enjoyed reading, sewing, and antiquing-but most of all she enjoyed being with her family.
            A memorial service will be held at the Adamsville Road Church of God on Saturday May 21, 2020. Visitation will be at 12:00 noon with the Celebration of Life to follow at 1pm. Rev Glen McClimans will officiate. Burial will be at a later date, in Olive Cemetery in Wakarusa where her great-grandparents, grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins are interred.
Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with her care.

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