Mary Alice Horvath

            Mary Alice (Rodgers) Horvath, a lifelong resident of New Carlisle, passed away on March 16, 2017 in her home surrounded by her loving family.  Mary Alice was born to the late Virgil and Ada (Carr) Rodgers.  On November 9, 1940, she married the love of her life, John P. Horvath, whom she had known since high school.  John passed away on October 2, 1987.  Surviving are her beloved children, Thomas (Yvonne) Horvath of New Carlisle, Nancy (Stephen) Taplin of New Carlisle, and Susan (Daniel) Akin of Castle Rock, Colorado.  She had six grandchildren whom she adored and who loved and admired her, Karen (Matt) Horvath-Wulf, Kathy (Doug) Moses, John (Sara) Horvath, Jeffrey (Bonnie) Akin, Julie (John) Perry and Jennifer Taplin.  She was also blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren, Katie Horvath-Wulf, Grace, Vivian and Hugh Moses, Harrison, Max and Crosby Horvath, Joey, Sophie, Hudson, Vivian, Luke and Tony Akin, and Jack Perry. Her sister and frequent traveling partner, Vivian (Harry) Purvis of Ft. Wayne, also survives.  Preceding her in  death were her brother Carr (Mildred) Rodgers, sisters, Martha (Orlo) Holaday and Adah (Welcome) Weaver, and brother-in-law, Stephen (Rose) Horvath.

            Mary Alice had a full and long life spanning ten decades and making many friends and memories along the way.  She was passionate about her community, both as a supporter and a volunteer.  She loved New Carlisle and always said there was no better place to live.  She started her morning by having coffee with many other civic-minded ladies, where they organized and created planters for the downtown area, solved the problems of the world and took many mini-excursions in the Michiana area.  She was proud to be a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority since 1959.  She initiated a memorial garden in honor of her sorority sisters in Memorial Park, New Carlisle.  She planted and watered countless flowers in this garden for many years.  As an active member of Historic New Carlisle, she served and baked goodies for every Tea and event at the Old Republic.  She was named Historic New Carlisle Volunteer of the Year in 2007.  She was a past member of Boot Jack Club, and was recognized for being a member of Eastern Star for 75 years.  Mary was honored by the Gleaners as Volunteer of the Year in 2003 for her countless hours of volunteering within the community.  She was flattered to serve as Grand Marshall of the New Carlisle Home Town Days Parade in 2005.  She was also a member of the New Carlisle United Methodist Church.

            Mary Alice had a reputation of greeting everyone with a warm hug and big smile. She had a heart of gold and was considerate, thoughtful, and a good friend to so many.  She will be missed by her family, friends, and the community she dearly loved.

            Visitation will be Monday, March 20 at the United Methodist Church, 300 Compton, New Carlisle from 3:00-8:00 EST and Tuesday, March 21  from 10:00-11:00 EST.  Services will follow at the church at 11:00 EST. Burial will be in the New Carlisle Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Historic New Carlisle, P.O. Box 107, New Carlisle, IN 46552 or Hospice, 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637.