Second youngest of thirteen children, Maria was about eleven years old when the family relocated to South Bend from Ashland County, Ohio where she was born. Initially a member of the Baptist Brethren church, Maria joined the First Methodist Episcopal church, then transferred her membership to St. Paul's Memorial M. E. Church upon it's completion by her brother Clem in memory of their parents.
Maria never married but is said to have enjoyed the companionship of young people and even reared, but did not adopt, a number of children. She was active in local affairs that, she said, kept her young. Maria lived throughout her long life in the family home located at 601 LaSalle that she shared with her sister Rebecca, also a spinster. The residence became well known to residents of the city for it was a custom of the two sisters to held open house on New Year's day.
Another custom of former years , Maria had requested that the church bell be tolled at her funeral for each year of her life. Her wish was carried out on Friday, May 29th at 2:30 p.m. when the church bell chimed 85 times. Funeral services were held at the family residence by past and present pastors of St. Paul's Memorial M. E. Church -- Dr. James L. Gardiner and Rev. J. B. Rosemurgy. Pallbearers were nephews George M. Witwer, Clement W. Studebaker, Col. George M. Studebaker, Clement Studebaker, Jr., J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Dr. Robert F. Lucas. Burial was in City Cemetery.
The last survivor of the pioneer manufacturing family in South Bend, "Aunt" Maria died just hours shy of her 85th birthday. Her lengthy (22 column inches) obituary in the South Bend Tribune contained details about the family's move to, and early years in, the city. Less than two weeks later, readers of the Tribune were provided selected details of her generous will regarding "Church and Charities Remembered" and "Many Small Bequests to Members of Family." Executors of Maria's estate were nephews George and J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Nelson Riley, a grandnephew.
Maria never married but is said to have enjoyed the companionship of young people and even reared, but did not adopt, a number of children. She was active in local affairs that, she said, kept her young. Maria lived throughout her long life in the family home located at 601 LaSalle that she shared with her sister Rebecca, also a spinster. The residence became well known to residents of the city for it was a custom of the two sisters to held open house on New Year's day.
Another custom of former years , Maria had requested that the church bell be tolled at her funeral for each year of her life. Her wish was carried out on Friday, May 29th at 2:30 p.m. when the church bell chimed 85 times. Funeral services were held at the family residence by past and present pastors of St. Paul's Memorial M. E. Church -- Dr. James L. Gardiner and Rev. J. B. Rosemurgy. Pallbearers were nephews George M. Witwer, Clement W. Studebaker, Col. George M. Studebaker, Clement Studebaker, Jr., J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Dr. Robert F. Lucas. Burial was in City Cemetery.
The last survivor of the pioneer manufacturing family in South Bend, "Aunt" Maria died just hours shy of her 85th birthday. Her lengthy (22 column inches) obituary in the South Bend Tribune contained details about the family's move to, and early years in, the city. Less than two weeks later, readers of the Tribune were provided selected details of her generous will regarding "Church and Charities Remembered" and "Many Small Bequests to Members of Family." Executors of Maria's estate were nephews George and J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Nelson Riley, a grandnephew.
Second youngest of thirteen children, Maria was about eleven years old when the family relocated to South Bend from Ashland County, Ohio where she was born. Initially a member of the Baptist Brethren church, Maria joined the First Methodist Episcopal church, then transferred her membership to St. Paul's Memorial M. E. Church upon it's completion by her brother Clem in memory of their parents.
Maria never married but is said to have enjoyed the companionship of young people and even reared, but did not adopt, a number of children. She was active in local affairs that, she said, kept her young. Maria lived throughout her long life in the family home located at 601 LaSalle that she shared with her sister Rebecca, also a spinster. The residence became well known to residents of the city for it was a custom of the two sisters to held open house on New Year's day.
Another custom of former years , Maria had requested that the church bell be tolled at her funeral for each year of her life. Her wish was carried out on Friday, May 29th at 2:30 p.m. when the church bell chimed 85 times. Funeral services were held at the family residence by past and present pastors of St. Paul's Memorial M. E. Church -- Dr. James L. Gardiner and Rev. J. B. Rosemurgy. Pallbearers were nephews George M. Witwer, Clement W. Studebaker, Col. George M. Studebaker, Clement Studebaker, Jr., J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Dr. Robert F. Lucas. Burial was in City Cemetery.
The last survivor of the pioneer manufacturing family in South Bend, "Aunt" Maria died just hours shy of her 85th birthday. Her lengthy (22 column inches) obituary in the South Bend Tribune contained details about the family's move to, and early years in, the city. Less than two weeks later, readers of the Tribune were provided selected details of her generous will regarding "Church and Charities Remembered" and "Many Small Bequests to Members of Family." Executors of Maria's estate were nephews George and J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Nelson Riley, a grandnephew.
Maria never married but is said to have enjoyed the companionship of young people and even reared, but did not adopt, a number of children. She was active in local affairs that, she said, kept her young. Maria lived throughout her long life in the family home located at 601 LaSalle that she shared with her sister Rebecca, also a spinster. The residence became well known to residents of the city for it was a custom of the two sisters to held open house on New Year's day.
Another custom of former years , Maria had requested that the church bell be tolled at her funeral for each year of her life. Her wish was carried out on Friday, May 29th at 2:30 p.m. when the church bell chimed 85 times. Funeral services were held at the family residence by past and present pastors of St. Paul's Memorial M. E. Church -- Dr. James L. Gardiner and Rev. J. B. Rosemurgy. Pallbearers were nephews George M. Witwer, Clement W. Studebaker, Col. George M. Studebaker, Clement Studebaker, Jr., J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Dr. Robert F. Lucas. Burial was in City Cemetery.
The last survivor of the pioneer manufacturing family in South Bend, "Aunt" Maria died just hours shy of her 85th birthday. Her lengthy (22 column inches) obituary in the South Bend Tribune contained details about the family's move to, and early years in, the city. Less than two weeks later, readers of the Tribune were provided selected details of her generous will regarding "Church and Charities Remembered" and "Many Small Bequests to Members of Family." Executors of Maria's estate were nephews George and J. M. Studebaker, Jr., and Nelson Riley, a grandnephew.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
