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Due to the current guidelines regarding public gatherings because of the COVID-19 virus and safety concerns, please use good judgment in determining the length of your visit or if you should attend. Six feet of social distancing should be maintained and masks are required for the visitation and service. There will be no congregating in the parking lot.
Evelyn Lucile Mottweiler of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana passed away at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Grace Village Health Care at the age of 93.
She was born on February 6, 1928 in Greenville, Illinois to Lila Lucile (Thompson) Marston and Leslie Ray Marston.
Evelyn graduated from Greenville College (now Greenville University) on May 31, 1948, and on the same day she was married to Reverend Jack Hugo Mottweiler. They shared the joy of raising two children and shared 49 years of marriage together before he passed away December 28, 1997.
After seminary, Jack and Evelyn pastored churches in Illinois and California. In 1971 they moved to Winona Lake, Indiana where Jack became Director of Adult Ministries of the Free Methodist denomination and Evelyn was Director of the denominational Historical Center and Archives until she retired in 1989.
In 1979, Evelyn was elected world president of the Free Methodist Woman’s Missionary Society (later called Women’s Ministries International). She served in this capacity until 1985, traveling extensively and ministering in over fifteen countries. She also served as Secretary/Treasurer of the World Fellowship of Free Methodist Churches where she enjoyed being able to travel to meetings in several countries.
Evelyn taught preschool children in Sunday School for over thirty years and served in various areas of local church leadership. She was a member of the Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, the Winona Literary Club, WOW (Winning Over Widowhood) and other local groups including the Winona Senior Center. Evelyn truly had a servant’s heart and loved serving her Lord and Savior wherever he directed her to. Her volunteer work following retirement included ministering to senior citizens in the community, especially at Grace Village Retirement Community where she later lived. Her response to a question in a prayer group when asked what she would like on her gravestone, Evelyn replied, “She did what she could”, referring to the Biblical account in Mark 14:8. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and a friend to many. Evelyn would most want to be remembered for her steadfast faith in her Savior Jesus Christ and will be dearly missed by all.
She will be lovingly remembered by her son: Marston (Clare) Mottweiler (Bishop, California); daughter: Ann Truesdell (Winona Lake, Indiana); six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; and her brother: Reverend Robert (Ardath) Marston (Milan, Michigan). She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack in 1997.
Friends and family may visit from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana. There will also be calling one hour prior to her service at the church from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Evelyn's life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Winona Lake Community Church (formerly Winona Lake Free Methodist Church), 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana and officiated by Pastor Bonnie Church and Pastor Rick Hurley. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, Indiana.
Memorial donations may be directed to Winona Lake Community Church (formerly Winona Lake Free Methodist Church), 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590; or to Marston Memorial Historical Center, P.O. Box 535002, Indianapolis, Indiana 46253-5002 and would be appreciated by the family.
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