Mary Jeanne Cornmesser, 88, passed away peacefully at 10:30 a.m. at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne after a brief illness. She was born on July 3, 1927, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Charles D. and Elsie (Kaltenbach) Wheeler.

Mary spent her childhood in Waterloo and graduated from East High School, Waterloo with the Class of 1944. She married Robert Dwight Cornmesser on Oct. 18, 1953, in Waterloo. She went on and graduated from Kahler Hospital School of Nursing, Rochester, Min. with a Registered Nurse degree. Mary spent time working in the hospital setting in Rochester, Min., Pasadena, Calif. and Waterloo, Iowa, hospitals. For many years she served as Dr. Thomas Hamilton’s nurse in Columbia City.

Mary will be remembered for her friendly and straightforward personality. She was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church where she volunteered in the office putting Sunday packets together. She was a Girl Scout Leader in Columbia City. With Mary’s love for children she assisted the beginning of the Columbia City Day Care Center. She also provided transportation for Otis R. Bowen Center and American Cancer Service patients. She volunteered her nursing skills for the American Red Cross Blood Drives. Mary and her husband always volunteered to serve Thanksgiving Dinner for Whitley County residents through the Kiwanis Club. She also delivered Meals on Wheels through Parkview Whitley Hospital. For many years she worked the election polls and assisted with voter’s registration.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years: Robert Dwight Cornmesser; two children: Craig Alan (Julie Powell) Cornmesser, Natchitoches, La.; and Kimberly A. (Zulf) Mohamedali, Fort Wayne; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren with one expected. She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers: Charles and Robert Wheeler.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City. Additional visitation will be held on from 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Columbia City United Methodist Church, Columbia City. Funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the church with Pastor David Arnold officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Annex Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given in Mary’s memory to Columbia City United Methodist Church.