Mary Ellen Gladys Hart

Mary Ellen Gladys (Johnson) Hart, age 84, formerly of LaGrange, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Cameron Hospital in Angola, Indiana. Mary Ellen was born on March 21, 1942, in Bluffton, Indiana, to the late Arthur Edward and Viola Emma (Straub) Johnson. She was later joined at home by her brother, Emmitt Arthur Johnson.

During her early childhood, Mary Ellen and her family moved from Bluffton to LaGrange County in search of employment and a better life. As the family grew, life was not always easy. Her father worked whatever jobs he could to provide for his wife and children. Mary Ellen attended school in LaGrange before returning to the Mongo area to be near her parents. She later accepted a position with Margie Hart, who owned a home health care business serving those in need. Through her employer, she met the love of her life, James Franklin Hart.

Mary Ellen married James Franklin Hart in South Milford, Indiana. Together they were blessed with eight children. Mary Ellen and Jim lived a simple life in LaGrange County, where they devoted themselves to raising their large family. She treasured every moment spent with her children and took great joy in welcoming her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and eventually great-great-grandchildren.

Mary Ellen was the second of eight children and cherished the time she spent visiting with her brothers and sisters throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Viola Johnson; her in-laws, James Buchanan and Margie Lucille Hart; her beloved husband, James Franklin Hart; her siblings, Dolly Handsome, Lillian Johnson, Gertrude Johnson, and Kenneth Johnson Yanke; her sister-in-law, Marion Analee (Hart) Ferrier; and her children, Edward Franklin Hart and Della May (Hart) Pierce.

Mary Ellen is survived by her brother, Emmitt Arthur Johnson of Shipshewana, Indiana; her sister, Edith (Johnson) Erwin of Three Rivers, Michigan; and her brother, Alan Schlabach of South Carolina.

She is also survived by her children, Claudia (William) Ulery of Kendallville, Indiana, Debbie (Michael) Stroup of Howe, Indiana, Tamara (Ronald Combs) Hart-Goodman of Kendallville, Indiana, Ty (Michele) Hart of Orland, Indiana, Jay (Mary) Hart of LaGrange, Indiana, and Sue (Russell) Dever of Kendallville, Indiana.

She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Nicole Hart, Lawrence Stroup, Aaron Stroup, Nathan Stroup, Shantell Goodman, Bridget Watts, Bryan Hart, David Kretzschmer, Brandon Kretzschmer, Bradley Bussey II, Hunter Poling, Heather Pierce, Amber Pierce, Derek Pierce, Tayla Compton, Aarya Hart, Christopher Hart, Jamie Hart, David Hart, Samantha Hart, Tim Rayner, Laura Rayner, Brandon Burr Paige Hart, Jullian Hart, and Emily Hart, along with many beloved great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Mary Ellen was especially proud of becoming a great-great-grandmother and treasured the blessing of having such a large and loving family.

Mary Ellen found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. She enjoyed completing word search puzzles, playing bingo, and watching classic western television shows. She was well known for making delicious fried chicken and potato salad that her family always looked forward to. She loved listening to Elvis Presley, visiting with family and friends, and never met a stranger, always enjoying the opportunity to make new friends. Her warm heart, kind spirit, and devotion to her family will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life and gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Delt Church Park, 6455 South 200 West, Wolcottville, IN, from 1:00pm-8:00pm.

Officiating the celebration of life will be Pastor Josh Watts.

To sign the online guestbook or to share a memory of Mary, visit www.hessfuneralhome.com or find us on our Facebook page.

Arrangements and care entrusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Fort Wayne, IN.