Mary Shebek

Mary (Lorene) Bergen Shebek left us for her eternal home on October 19th, 2024 at the age of 88. Mary was born in Osborn, (Fairborn) Ohio in 1935 to John and Lorene Bergen. She attended and graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul MN with a degree in Education and became an elementary school teacher. Mary moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she met the love of her life Michael P. Shebek. The two were married there in 1962 and stayed happily married throughout both of their lives. Soon after the wedding, the couple relocated and settled in Indianapolis, IN to start a family and raise their children.

Like her husband, Mary was an entrepreneur. She started a clothing printing business with a friend that produced logo’d business shirts and custom college sports T-shirts. She started and co-founded the first concession stand at North Central High School and operated it at the school’s baseball field. And most notably, she and Mike were instrumental in bringing a new business and industry to Indiana and the Midwest, Automatic Pool Covers.

Mary was extremely talented in the arts. She had a beautiful soprano voice that entertained people along with her authentic acting skills. The combination put her in front of audiences as the lead in many plays including, Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma and South Pacific. As an accomplished piano player, she would volunteer to play at church, school events and performances as well as for those who would gather around a piano at social gatherings. 

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Mike (Oct 18, 2019) and she is survived by her daughters Lori Boone (John), Nancy Opel (Dwayne), son Michael J. Shebek (Kati), and 7 wonderful grandchildren, Morgan Boone, Jason Boone, Rachel Opel, Laura Opel, Elliot Shebek, George Shebek and Oliver Shebek. 

Visitation will be Sunday November 3rd, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Flanner Buchanan - Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250 with a service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.