Mary Ann Gradeless
Mary Ann Gradeless, 82, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
She was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Pierceton, Ind., to Burns Hascal Summey and Dora (Hedges) Summey. She attended both Manchester College, North Manchester, Ind.; and Bethel College, Mishawaka, Ind., where she received her undergraduate degree in education. Later, she earned her Masters Degree in education from Bethel.
Mary Ann married Raymond Lee Gradeless in July 1950, and divorced in 1974. She later was married to Ernest L. Kulwicki from 1980 until his death in July 1999.
She moved to Warsaw in 2012 to live close to her daughter, Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan. Before moving to Warsaw, she had lived in North Liberty, Ind., and Lakeville, Ind. She taught in the Lapaz and Lakeville school systems (now known as Union-North United School Corporation).
She was very involved at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, South Bend, Ind. She played the organ for Sunday services, was choir director and taught Sunday School. She was chairman of the church’s administrative board, organized the annual mother-daughter banquet and chaired the Country Store committee. Mary Ann was a member of Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club where she sang with the Optimist Singers. She also sang with the Marshall County Melody Makers.
She is survived by a son: Michael (Kathy) Gradeless, Carmel, Ind.; a granddaughter: Leanna (Jeff) Anderson, Houston, Texas; four grandsons: Robert (Caiti) Gradeless, Indianapolis, Ind.; Raymond Gradeless, Carmel, Ind.; Stephen (Alixandra) Rudisel, Lafayette, Ind.; and Pvt. Daniel (Amanda) Rudisel, Fort Riley, Kan.; three step daughters: Patty (Jim) Colanese, Lakeville, Ind.; Mary Kelly and Barbara Kulwicki; four step grandsons: Joshua Colanese, David Kelly, Michael Kelly and Richard Smith; and seven step granddaughters: Jennifer Colanese, Lori Daniels, Jamie Bibler, Amy Grenell, Cindy Alexander, Michelle Peterson and Lisa Kelly.
She was preceded in death by her daughter: Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan; and her husband: Ernest Kulwicki.
Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Maple Grove United Methodist Church, South Bend, Ind. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. in the church with Pastor Sue Irwin, Maple Grove United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton, Ind.
Memorials may be made to Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 22019 New Rd., South Bend, IN 46614.
Arrangements are with Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw.
To sign on the online guestbook or leave condolences visit the Titus Funeral Home website.