Former Grace Brethren pastor’s wife, Mary Ellen Fluke, Winona Lake, Ind., went home to be with the Lord at 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, at Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake at the age of 91.
She worked as a sales associate for Uhlman’s in Warsaw, Ind., and had moved to Winona Lake, Ind., in the summer of 1951 with her husband so that he could attend Grace College and Seminary. In 1957 she and her family moved to Long Beach, Calif., and was at her husband’s side while he worked for the Brethren Home Missions, building churches and preaching until 1962, when they moved back to Winona Lake. Mary Ellen loved to serve the Lord, and was a member of Lakeland Grace Brethren Church of Warsaw, Ind.
She was born in Hopewell, Pa., on January 11, 1924 to Robert R. Zimmerman and Elsie V. (Fluke) Zimmerman. On April 15, 1943 she was married to William Max Fluke, who died May 7, 2014.
She will be lovingly remembered by her four daughters: Carola Jean (husband Gary) Austin (Warsaw, Ind.); Jo Ann (husband Richard) Rosbrugh (Winona Lake, Ind.); Donna (husband David) Duffield (Oconomowoc, Wis.); Doris (husband Steven) Swing (Lewis Center, Ohio); two sons: Donald (wife Cindi) Fluke (Winona Lake, Ind.); Daniel (wife Karen) Fluke (Warsaw, Ind.); daughter-in-law: Robin Clark Stone (Warsaw, Ind.); 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters, and four brothers.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Ind.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2015. at Lakeland Grace Brethren Church, 2538 S. County Farm Road, Warsaw, Ind., and officiated by Pastor Russ Simpson. A private family graveside service will be conducted at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kim and Jared Meidal (granddaughter of Mary Ellen serving as missionaries at The Oaks Camp with World Impact), c/o Don Fluke, 2503 Western Drive, Winona Lake, Ind., 46590.