Mary Elizabeth Gaston
December 24, 1923 – March 19, 2026

Mary Elizabeth Gaston, 102, of Brush Mountain, walked into the arms of Jesus Thursday afternoon at her daughter’s family residence.
Mary was born in Ashley, Steuben County, Indiana, the sixth of eight children of the late Russell Roe and Martha Louise (Chipman) McClish. She is the last of her immediate family.
She graduated from Spencerville High School in 1941. Growing up on a farm, she was no stranger to hard work and contributed to World War II efforts at Magnavox in Fort Wayne, assembling electronics. After several years in Oregon, she returned to the Midwest to support her young family as a factory worker and a salad chef in North Manchester, Ind., and later as a pie chef in Hicksville, Ohio.
She was twice married; first to James D. Mendenhall on June 14, 1945, then to Gerald Gaston on August 21, 1968. Both preceded her in death.
Mary is survived by four children: Judith McDonald (Terry), Kendallville, Ind.; Kathy Cadle (Roland), Hollidaysburg, Pa.; James Mendenhall, Montpelier, Ohio; and Shirley Harm, Auburn, Ind.; as well as six grandchildren (Rebecca, Susannah, Elisabeth, Sarah, Colton, and Austin), 14 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was also stepmother to six: Terry Gaston, Bridget Witte, Richard Gaston, Chris Gaston, Deannie Osmun-Morse, and Kathy Wood.
She was preceded by her parents, five sisters, two brothers, stepson Terry, son-in-law Dan, and beloved great-granddaughter, Maura.
From early childhood to Homegoing at 102, Mary lived her strong faith in Jesus Christ her Lord. She was most committed to seeing her children know and love God. She loved family gatherings. Mary enjoyed baking, comedy, Celtic music (especially Tommy Fleming and Celtic Thunder), birds and flowers, and serving the Lord through her church, family, and worldwide missions.
A lifelong member of Missionary and Nazarene churches, she was a member of Montpelier (Ohio) Church of the Nazarene and for the last decade attended Frankstown Park Missionary Church in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Her favorite verse was John 3:16, but other favorites included Psalm 42, 43:3, and 40:5 and Proverbs 2:1–3 and 3:1–2. In God’s goodness, two of Mary’s favorite hymns were playing as she went Home: “Here is Love” from the Welsh Revival and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” one of the first personal English hymns.
At her request, there will be no visitation or services beyond the usual Sunday morning celebration. A committal service will take place at Scipio Cemetery in Harlan, Ind., Saturday, May 23 at 11 am, followed by a fellowship meal at Neighbors House, 12828 Main Street, Leo-Cedarville, Ind.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Frankstown Park Missionary Church, Attn: Mary’s Mission Teams, 469 Church Lane, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Mary’s family wishes to thank everyone for their condolences and gifts.
Arrangements are by Plank, Stitt, & Stevens Funeral Home, 421 Montgomery St., Hollidaysburg.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook at Stevens Family Funeral Homes.