Marian Jane (Poppele) Winebrenner passed away March 27, 2018, in Columbia City.

Born in south Chicago on May 28, 1922, she was the daughter of Marion and Vera Mae (Morrison) Bohmer. Upon the death of her parents at the age of two, she was adopted by a loving couple, George and Magdelene Poppele. She attended Holy Cross and St. Columbanus Catholic schools in Chicago until the family moved to Garrett around 1936. There, she attended St. Joseph Catholic school where she graduated in 1940 as valedictorian. Times were hard, but with the help of her mother, she was able to attend the St. Joseph School of Nursing in Fort Wayne.

While at nursing school, she was introduced to a handsome young man that would be the love of her life – Hobert Winebrenner of Merriam. WWII interrupted, and she said goodbye to her love when he was shipped off to Europe. When Mr. Winebrenner returned from the war, they were married on Nov. 20, 1945, in Garrett. The young couple moved to Merriam and built their lifetime home.

Marian Winebrenner continued her career in nursing at Luckey Hospital in Wolf Lake and then Whitley County Memorial Hospital in Columbia City. As a labor and delivery nurse, she ushered nearly a thousand little ones into the world.

Throughout her life she was a member of the St. John Bosco Catholic Church and St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society.

The focus of her life were her children. She instilled in them a deep Catholic faith, love of music and love of family. Her grandchildren were always so very dear to her and brought her tremendous joy. She was sure that her great-grandchildren were the smartest and most beautiful in the world!

Surviving are her three children: Steve (Valerie) Winebrenner, Fulton, Md.; Tony (Jill) Winebrenner, Albion and Jane (Bill) Stroup, Columbia City; six grandchildren: Kara (Paul) Kehoe, Rockville, Md.; Erik (Mindy) Winebrenner, Ellicott City, Md.; Kristina (Tom) Tsuleff, Fort Wayne; Sarah (Lloy) Ball, Angola; Joshua (Nichole) Stroup, Round Rock, Texas; and Dr. Kathleen (Kyle) Heimann, Decatur; 13 great grandchildren, Annabelle and Lexi Kehoe, Joey and Elliott Winebrenner, Daniel and Peter Tsuleff, Dyer and Mya Ball, Falon and Rexton Stroup, Sebastian, Frankie and Xavier Heimann; her shi-tzu, Freddie was her loyal companion for the last eight years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hobert Winebrenner on April 25, 2009.

Calling will take place at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, with Holy Rosary at 8 p.m. Calling also one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Columbia City on Wednesday, April 4.

Burial will follow at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.

In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Whitley County Human Shelter or St. Paul of the Cross (repair fund).