Mary (Lenker) Drudge, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of Christ, peacefully entered into the joy of her Lord on Saturday, June 20, 2026 .She was born on March 17, 1947, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, to Lee and Caroline (Houck) Lenker.
Mary’s life was a testament to the grace of Jesus and the beauty of enduring love. For 37 years, she was married to her dedicated husband, Donald Drudge. His unwavering devotion was the bedrock of her final years; he walked alongside her with steadfast love, remaining by her side every single day until the very end, embodying the true heart of a servant.
To step into a room with Mary was to feel like one of the world’s greatest marvels; she possessed a rare, grateful pause of astonishment for her family, making everyone feel valued. A woman of elegance, she instilled the values of dignity, self-respect, and gratitude in her household-even if that meant being thankful for a dry meatloaf dinner. She was grounded in her faith, resourceful, and never afraid to make tough decisions for the betterment of those she loved.
In her prime, Mary was a trailblazer. She was a 1965 graduate of Clinton Central High School, in Michigantown, Indiana, and put herself through school to become a Respiratory Therapist, dedicatedly working the night shift at Wabash County Hospital. There, she shared the gospel with her patients and brought light to the halls through her skillful, elaborate decorating.
Mary’s truest happy place was spent in service to God and her family. Whether she was coordinating various church events, playing the church organ, or lifting spirits with a beautiful hymn, her servant’s heart was always on display. At home, she loved being behind her sewing machine and crafting elaborate holiday cards.
Above all, Mary was a cherished grandmother. Her favorite moments were spent hosting family gatherings, playing board games with her grandchildren, and sharing fudge-cicles in the front yard. It was her deepest prayer that everyone she loved would know they are a child of God, uniquely gifted to serve a mighty Savior.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Donald E. Drudge of Wabash; children, Bonnie (Glen) Miller of Ligonier, Steve (Julie) Coffman of Warsaw, Mike Coffman of Peru, Barry (Drema) Drudge and Danielle (Shawn) Bishop, both of North Manchester, 11 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and her beloved aunt, Joan “Josie” Houck of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be 3:00 pm, Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Tim Webb officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 2-3 pm Thursday, at the funeral home.
The memorial guest book for Mary may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary J. Drudge, please visit our floral store.