Martha Elaine McConnell, 94 years old of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the Lutheran Life Villages located in Fort Wayne. She was born on Saturday, June 8, 1918 in Adams County, Indiana the daughter of the late John Gaffer and the late Ethel M. (Leist) Gaffer. She married Carl O. McConnell on April 10, 1937 in Columbia City, Indiana and he passed away on February 17, 2008. Elaine was a member of the St. Henry Catholic Church in Fort Wayne and the Ladies of the Moose Lodge in Decatur, Indiana. She had worked in retail management for sixteen years at Montgomery Ward retiring on July 1, 1979. Surviving are two sister-in-law's; Mary Gaffer of Decatur, Indiana and Ruth Roe of Indianapolis, Indiana. Preceding Martha in death were a brother, Jack Gaffer and two sisters, Jackie P. Gaffer & Patricia Sieger. A prayer service will be held at 10:20 a.m. Friday, August 10, 2012, in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with Father Dan Durkin officiating. Interment will follow in the Decatur Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, August 9 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur. Preferred memorials are to St. Henry Catholic Church in Fort Wayne or St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur.
