Nov. 20, 1931 — Feb. 2, 2016

Goshen, Ind. — Mary Ellen (Blackmun) Crouch, 84, of Goshen, Indiana, died on Feb. 2, 2016, at Greencroft Healthcare, from complications of renal cancer.

Mary was born on Nov. 20, 1931, in Niles, Michigan to Ruth (Carnes) and Harold Blackmun, graduated from Niles High School, and attended Hanover College and Michigan State University, where she studied literature. On Sept. 10, 1950, she married Jack Crouch. Over the years, Mary worked as a secretary, receptionist, and as an exceedingly well-organized homemaker. She and Jack were longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles until moving to Goshen, where they joined the College Mennonite Church.

Mary enjoyed singing in the choir, reading good books, watching highly-rated films, gazing out over the lake or ocean with a cup of coffee in the morning, and deep conversations about the meaning of life. In the spirit of St. Francis, she cared for birds and other animals, and with Jack’s help, tended beautiful flowers.

Mary is survived by her husband Jack Crouch; daughters, Laurie (Crouch) Dowling of Lansing, Michigan and Marti Crouch of Bloomington; brother, Bob (Pat) Blackmun of Hilton, New York; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Bill (Dorie) Blackmun of Niles.

A memorial service officiated by College Mennonite Church will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb/ 6, at the Gathering Place in Evergeen, Greencroft Goshen, with visitation there at 9 a.m. Later in the spring, there will also be a service in Niles prior to burial of the cremains at Silverbrook Cemetery, TBA.

Contributions can be made in her name to the Mennonite Central Committee, or to the Cornell Lab or Ornithology.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, Indiana is assisting the family with arrangements.