Mary E. Rempert

Mary E. Rempert, 94, Columbia City, formerly of rural Albion, died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe where she was a resident since January.

She was born on Sept. 30, 1925, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of the late Oscar and Mary (Brenner) Lewis. Her formative years were spent in Fort Wayne.

On Feb. 23, 1946, she was united in marriage to Gilbert “Shorty” Byall. They made their home at Muncie Lake near Albion. “Shorty” died on July 30, 1991. On Dec. 5, 1992, she married Arnold W. Rempert. They made their home in Columbia City. Arnold died in July 1998.

Early in her work career she was employed by the Wayne Knitting Mills, Fort Wayne. She later worked for Essex Wire for seven years. In addition, she was a homemaker raising her three sons.

She was a member of the Wolf Lake United Methodist Church.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed fishing, quilting and gardening. Traveling throughout the western states, she and her husband made an annual trip to California to be in the studio audience of the Lawrence Welk Show. Enjoying her grandchildren, she joked at every full moon that was her on the broom circling the moon.

She is survived by her sons: David E. Byall, Albion; and Richard A. (Jeanine) Byall, Columbia City; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and a sister: Darlene Archer, Fort Wayne.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a son: Larry L. Byall; brothers: Orin Lewis and Frank Lewis; and three sisters: Gertrude Lindlag, Ava Jean Nierman and Lucille Hughes.

The funeral is at noon Monday, June 1, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is at the Sparta Cemetery, Kimmell. The visitation will be 11 a.m. until the service Monday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the Alzheimer’s Association.