Mary Jane Butcher

Mary Jane Butcher, 75, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at Esther's House, Elkhart. She was born Dec. 17, 1949, in Elkhart County to Carlisle "Porky" and Lillian (Sahloff) Detwiler. She married David G. Butcher on April 6, 1979, in Elkhart, and he passed away on Aug. 18, 2014.

Surviving are her loving daughter Annette (Barry) Hines of Bristol; two grandsons, Wes Crabb of Peru and Tyler Crabb of Dunlap; and four siblings, Bonnie (Gene) Nicolai of Goshen, Kenneth Detwiler of Cass Lake, Minnesota, Patty (John) Carpenter of Goshen and Cindy (Gary) Bontrager of Elkhart.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband David and two brothers and sister-in-love Edward (Diane) Detwiler and David Detwiler.

Mary worked for ESI Meats and Bristol Valley Foods, retired from JJ Babbitt. She was a very strong woman from starting to work at a very young age at Bender's Grocery Store, New Paris. She was a friend to many, never knowing a stranger. Cooking was a passion and always had room around her table for everybody. She was especially known for her baked beans. Mary was a 10-year 4-H member and continued to support the Elkhart County 4-H clubs for many years. She loved to read and was an avid sports fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bears and IU basketball. She was adorned by many beloved nieces and nephews!

A viewing will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m., all at Rieth Rohrer Ehret Funeral Home, 311 S. Main St. Goshen, IN 46526. Please wear purple in honor of Mary! Pastor Matt Gingerich will officiate. Burial will follow at Yellow Creek Cemetery.

The family would like to thank a special caregiver Eileen Martin for her tender loving care.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Center for Hospice. Online condolences can be submitted through the funeral home website, www.rrefh.com.