Obituary of Mary Ann Sheely

  Mary Ann Sheely, 99, formerly of Sterling, Illinois, died on April 5, 2024, in Carmel, Indiana after a short illness. Mary Ann was born in Sterling on July 1, 1924. She was the only daughter of Arthur James and Margaret McFadden Van De Mark. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Community High School (now Newman), and Rosary College.  

   St. Mary’s and her Catholic faith played big roles in Mary Ann’s life. She was one of six “little Marys” in her class that maintained life-long friendships. She was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society and always ready to bake a cake for any funeral dinner (angel food of course). In later years, she was part of the saintly church cleaning crew that included Mary, Madonna (Maris), Joseph (Kelly) and Jesus – who expertly ran the vacuum. She delighted in telling stories about their unusual finds in the hymnal racks. Her devotion to saying the rosary was exemplary and anyone who rode in her car for any length of time experienced a novena or two.    

   Mary Ann worked at Central National Bank, Bun Austin Chevrolet, and National Manufacturing where she met, and later married, F. James Sheely, in 1963. They had a ton of fun and one daughter, Karen. In 2010, Mary Ann moved to Indiana to be near her daughter. There she joined the Carmel Newcomers Club and developed a new circle of friends that kept her young and active. Mary Ann enjoyed cards, conversation, caramels, and a good cocktail. She only had one child, but she was a mother to many. She was the poster child for loving big, laughing out loud, and living well. She will be greatly missed.  

   Mary Ann would say that at 99 she was preceded in death by everyone other than her life-long friend Betty McCue, her daughter Kari, and beloved dog Toby.  

   Mass of the Christian Burial will be 2PM Friday April 12, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling. Visitation will be one hour prior from 1PM-2PM also at the Church. Burial will take place immediately following at Calvary Cemetery in Sterling.  

   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 600 Avenue B, Sterling, IL, 61081, or the Indianapolis Humane Society (indyhumane.org).