Mary Irene Rager

Mary Irene Rager, 97, formerly of rural Akron, Indiana passed Dec. 25, 2016 at Peabody Retirement Community of North Manchester, Ind. where she has resided for the past 6 years. She was born on Aug. 24, 1919 in her Grandmother Arter’s house near Akron, Ind. to Dewey and Gladys (Arter) Merley. As a young girl she learned a strong work ethic by delivering newspapers in Akron and later helping her mother cook for lumberjacks in Michigan. Attending Akron Schools for 12 years, she graduated 3rd in her class. She married her high school sweetheart, Verl Wesley Rager at the home of Rev. Daniel Slaybaugh on Dec. 24, 1937. He preceded her in death on Sept. 27, 2006. As a stay at home mom, she kept herself busy reading, sewing, and knitting sweaters for family members. She also belonged to the Stringtown Club, Bunco Club, Ruth Circle, taught Sunday school, and was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. When her 4 children were in school she worked at A&P, sewed casket linings, and worked at Heckman Bindery in North Manchester from which she retired. She also found time to be a regular blood donor, work the census, worked election days, was a Girl Scout leader, a Boy Scout Den Mother, and an avid Purdue Basketball fan. Survivors and place of residence: Daughter – Laura Reese – Akron, Ind. Sons – Eldon and wife Jenean Rager – N. Manchester, Ind. Philip and wife Sue Rager – Portland, Ind. Grandchildren - David Rice – Hartford City, Melissa (Aaron) Walt – N. Manchester, Kelli (Chris) Hooks – Rochester, Christopher (Heather) Rager – New Haven, Stephanie (Keith) Winchester – Fairmount, Michael (Mary) Rager – Fishers, Steven (Rachelle) Reese – Rochester, Ryan (Lindsey) Reese – Rochester, Shari (Craig) Durkes – Akron, and Scott Reese – Akron 17 Great Grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren Sister-in-law – Catherine Merley Several Nieces and Nephews Preceded in Death By: Parents, Husband, Daughter – Verla Jean Rice, Son-in-laws – Darrell Rice and Calvin Reese, Granddaughter – Bonnie Jean Rice, and a Brother – William Merley Time and Date of Services: 11:00 am, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016 Place of Services: Hartzler Funeral Home 305 West Rochester Street Akron, Ind. Minister: Rev. Phil Pratt and Rev. Junior Bose Place of Burial: Akron Cemetery, Akron, Indiana Visitation Hours: 4 pm to 8 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, Ind. Memorial Contributions to: Kindred Hospice or the Bethlehem Baptist Church

Mary Irene Rager

August 24, 1919 - December 25, 2016