Mary Jane Wheeler (nee Ostrander) of Lake Station passed away Saturday, July 25th, 2026.

Mary Jane was born March 14th, 1936 to the late Martha and William Ostrander in Mt. Pleasant Twp. Pennsylvania. She graduated from Chartiers-Houston High School in Houston PA in 1954. In 1961 she married Lawrence Wheeler and spent 56 years together until his death in 2017.

Mary Jane was a strong woman who took on raising several of her siblings after her father and mother passed. She refused to see the family split up. She moved to Lake Station, Indiana in 1967 with her husband, son, and 3 of her brothers. Just as the boys were almost out of High School, they decided to adopt a daughter and start all over! The love in her heart knew no bounds.

Mary Jane’s greatest joy came from her family. She was a Baseball, Football, Basketball, Softball, Dance and Girl Scout Mom. She rarely missed a game or recital, even traveling to Lafayette, Indiana for all of her granddaughter's recitals. If she was “back home” in Washington, PA and someone had an event, she was there.

Mary Jane loved to build puzzles as well as play bingo and cards. Many nights were spent with her brothers around the kitchen table laughing and playing cards. She loved to attend the Lake Station Senior Center for bingo and all their activities.

Mary Jane was also a member of Liverpool Baptist Church where she was actively involved with the women’s group and Vacation Bible School for years.

Mary Jane is survived by her children: John Wheeler and Judy (David) Sharkey; 4 grandchildren; Chad Wheeler, Stacey Layman, Katelyn Armstrong and Moira Sharkey; 11 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren; brothers Ken and Ray, sisters Barbara, Laverna, and Martha and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Wheeler, parents, William and Martha Ostrander, 5 siblings Dorothy, Al, Eugene, Don and Darlene.

There will be funeral services on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Rees Funeral Home, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart, starting with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:30 p.m. with Elder Eric Ostrander officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Portage.