Mary Elizabeth Rhed, of Chesterton, died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005 at V.N.A. Hospice Center, Valparaiso. She was 98.

She was born Nov. 9, 1906 in Bessemer, Mich., the daughter of Rocco and Marie (Destasio) Girolamo, both of whom preceded her in death.

On Nov. 9, 1927 in Chicago, she married Paynter J. Rhed, who preceded her in death Sept. 10, 1971.

She is survived by a son, George (Linda) Rhed of Porter; a daughter, Bertha Still of Chesterton; two sisters, Magdalene Calabrece of Bloomingdale, Ill and Rose McCluskey of Toledo, Ohio; three grandchildren, Matthew (Shannon), George and Drew (Gretchen) Rhed of Chesterton and seven great-grandchildren, Beth, Samantha, Bailey, Lucas, Paynter, Anthony and Gabrielle.

She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Josephine Gentile and Bertha Girolamo and four brothers, Anthony, Frank, Leonard and George Girolamo.

Mrs. Rhed was a resident since 1930 and was a home maker. She was a former member of the P.T.A., Bailly Town Neighbors and Chesterton Woman’s Club. She held office in each of these organizations.

A funeral service, Father Jack Meyers officiating, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 237 E. CR 1200N (E. Porter Ave.), Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Friday, at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

Memorials may be given to V.N.A. Hospice, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46384 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Posted 11/2/2005