Mary Ann Schaekel, 86 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away at 9:11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in the Lutheran Hospital of Indiana located in Fort Wayne, following a stroke suffered on Monday at her residence. Mary Ann was born on Friday, February 15, 1929 in Decatur, Indiana the daughter of the late Albert Ewel and the late Rosa (Berning) Ewel. Mary Ann was united in marriage to Norbert Schaekel on August 31, 1952 in St. Paul Lutheran Church-Preble and he survives. Mary Ann was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church-Preble where she was active in the Ladies Aid and the church choir; Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML); Concordia Theological Seminary Guild where with her husband, she shared the bounty of her garden with the seminary students. Mary Ann was a seamstress at Moore's Dry Cleaners in Decatur in addition to being a homemaker. Surviving are her husband, Norbert Schaekel of Decatur, IN; son, Bert (Joan) Schaekel of Tomball, TX; daughter, Diane (Benjamin) Brown of Urbana, IL; daughter, Connie Schaekel of Santa Fe, NM; daughter, Annette (Scott) Seitz of Sarasota, FL; son, Kirk Schaekel of Sarasota, FL; daughter, Beth (Mohsen) Karimi of Cheshire, CT; 16 grandchildren: Kevin Schaekel; John Schaekel; Deanna Schaekel;Brent Schaekel; Jessica Brown; Carly Brown; Abby Brown; Nick Brown; Gabe Brown; Laliv Zang; Adrienne Seitz; Quinn Seitz; Devin Schaekel; Haley Schaekel; Mateen Karimi; & Malika Karimi; and 12 Great-Grandchildren: Maggie Pitcher; Kelsie Pitcher; Emily Pitcher; Kate Pitcher; Charlie Jefferson; Isaac Jefferson; Renna Jefferson; Kinsley Jefferson; Laney Brown; Mackenzie Brown; Luella Brown; & Fiona Brown. Preceding Mary Ann in death was one son, Lynn Myron Schaekel in infancy. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2015 in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege officiating. Interment will follow in the St Paul Lutheran Cemetery-Preble. Friends will be received from 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2015 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN and one hour prior to services in the church on Wednesday. Preferred memorials are to St. Paul Lutheran Church-Preble; Wyneken Lutheran School; LWML; Worship For Shut Ins; or the Lutheran Hour.
