Margaret M. ‘Margie’ Petry, 84, North Manchester, passed away at 6:55 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, in Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

She was born Aug. 10, 1930, in Akron, Ohio to Joseph Clyde and Rachel Merle (Barr) James. She married her high school sweetheart, Kaydo, on Aug. 20, 1950.

Growing up in a woods, she became an animal lover and amateur artist. Later in life, she continued her love for animals and was both an accomplished fisherwoman and a professional artist. Her artwork is proudly on display in the homes of family and friends all over this country and in Nigeria, West Africa, where she and her husband were missionaries from 1963-1969. Many of her works are found at Camp Alexander Mack, where the newest Church of the Brethren mural was conceived, created, completed and signed by her. She supported her husband while he completed 4 years at Manchester College and three more at Bethany Seminary, then in Chicago. After leaving Bethany, they pastored at Spring Creek, Church of the Brethren; Batavia, Ill., Church of the Brethren; and Wabash, Church of the Brethren before heading for the Nigerian mission field. When they returned, they pastored at the Eel River, IN Church of the Brethren, and Margie finished up her four-year college degree at Manchester College just a year before her eldest child followed her lead. She then became a high school art teacher for 17 years, teaching at two area high schools: Caston1973-1979 and Northfield 1979-1991. She earned both her Master’s degree and a life teaching license during the course of her teaching years.

She is survived by her husband: Carroll ‘Kaydo’ Petry, North Manchester; one son: Daniel Mark (Amy) Petry, Bristol; two daughters: Dianne Louise (Rich) Wion, North Manchester; Darlene Kay (Doug) Miller, Dillsburg, Pa.; one brother: Glenn E. (Ida Jean) James, Akron; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one great-grandchild and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at Manchester Church of the Brethren, 1306 N. Beckley St., North Manchester. The family will receive friends following the service. Pastor Kurt Borgmann and Pastor Karen Eberly will officiate. Burial will be in Ulrey Memorial Cemetery, Silver Lake.

Memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Senior Living Community, Charitable Assistance Fund, PO Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962.