Mary Louise Scheidler

Mary Louise Scheidler, 94, oldest daughter of Matt and Kathleen Scheidler of Hartford City, Indiana, died Friday, May 19 in Indianapolis as St. Francis Health Center, attended by family members, including her caring nieces, Elizabeth Wheeler, Teresa Hoffmeister and Alica Nagy.

After finishing high school at Hartford City High, she worked for her father, who owned theaters in the area, ordering the movies that would be featured each week. She became a veritable encyclopedia of movies and film stars. She also worked as office manager at her father’s ice plant, before going to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio to study music. Mary Louise loved music, especially opera, and enjoyed singing with her sister Elly, often with her mom at the piano. Her brothers loved to listen to their lovely voices.
After a semester at Capitol, she decided that nursing was her true vocation. She graduated from St. Vincent Nursing school in 1954, and served at St. Vincent Hospital. Mary Louise spent over four decades as a nurse, including a short stint in Mexico City after attending her brother Jim‘s wedding to his wife Maria in Mexico. Even after “retiring” Mary Louise continued to volunteer at St. Augustine’s, caring for “elderly,” many who were younger than she. Her sweet smile and soft, soothing voice brought comfort and joy to her many patients.

Mary Louise, known in the family as “Aunt Wee”, was the favorite aunt to her forty nieces and nephews. She was famous for her chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and peanut butter bars. She never failed to show up with a canister of goodies for every family event.
After the death of her father in 1973, Mary Louise moved home to Hartford city to be companion to her mother. Following her mother’s death in 1981, she moved to Indianapolis, where she resumed her volunteer nursing duties. She bought a bike and cycled to Mass every day, as well as to adoration in the wee hours of the morning, until shortly after her 90th birthday, when she suffered a mild stroke, which curtailed her activities.

Mary Louise’s five brothers and sisters recall her feisty, fun-loving personality as the oldest sister. And they credit her with leading by her example of kindness, generosity and deep faith. According to her brother Joe, she inspired the whole family to begin attending daily Mass.

Mary Louise is survived by her sisters, Evelyn Ann Metallic and Eleanor McNamara, and her brothers, Joe and Jim. Her brother, Bob, preceded her to heaven in 2001. She is remembered fondly by her countless nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as dear friends.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, May 26 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 3354 W. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation is Thursday evening at Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park North at 2706 Kessler Blvd., West Drive, Indianapolis from 4:00 to 8:00PM, with a Rosary service at 7:30. Memorials to the Pro-Life Action League would be appreciated. (6160 N. Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60646).

Please sign Mary’s guestbook and share memories at www.flannerbuchanan.com.