Mary Jane Toepfer, 93, of Wabash, Indiana, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Thursday, October 15, 2026, at home. She was born on February 16, 1933, in Peru, Indiana, to John and Esther (Laramore) Wylie.
Mary Jane was a 1951 graduate of Peru High School. She continued her education at Ball State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1954 and later completing her master’s degree. On January 9, 1954, she married Orion Toepfer in Peru, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love and devotion. Mary Jane dedicated her career to education as an elementary school teacher at W.C. Mills Elementary School in Wabash, where she inspired countless students before retiring after 24 years of service. She was attended the Wabash First United Methodist Church and participated in the Margaret Wilson Circle of the United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Round Table, the Wabash County Retired Teachers Association, and the Indiana State Teachers Association. Above all, Mary Jane was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother whose greatest joy was her family. Selfless, compassionate, and generous, she touched the lives of many with her kindness and unwavering devotion. Her pure heart, giving spirit, and endless love for those she cherished will be remembered always.
She is survived by her husband, Orion Toepfer of Wabash; son, Jeffrey (Leslie) Toepfer of Milford, Michigan, and their children, Mathew Toepfer of Milford and Nicholas Toepfer of Grayling, Michigan; son, Bruce (Beth) Toepfer of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and their children, Aaron Toepfer of Winston-Salem, and Brittany (Jason) Hall of the Netherlands; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Toepfer of Oakland City, Indiana, and her children, Rachel Toepfer of Laos, Abby (Corban) Doyle of Oakland City, Steven (Harlee Ray) Toepfer of Huntingburg, Indiana, and Joseph Toepfer of Oakland City; daughter, Linda Abney of Kokomo, Indiana, and her children, Gabriel Abney of South Bend, Indiana, Aidan Abney of Monroe, Wisconsin, and Christian Abney of New Haven, Connecticut; daughter, Janice (Phil) Harris of Columbia City, Indiana; two great grandchildren, Evangeline Toepfer and Margo Doyle; and two expected great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Brian Toepfer, brother, John Wylie, and her sister, Betty Chittum.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Friday, October 23, 2026, at Wabash First United Methodist Church, 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, with Pastor Laura Helm and Rev. Lore Blinn Gibson officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Peru, Indiana. Friends may call 9:30-11:00 am Friday, at the church. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
Preferred memorial is the Charity of the Donor’s Choice.
The memorial guest book for Mary Jane may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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