Date of Death: September 8, 2022
Service Details
A Celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Light and Life Wesleyan Church, 15765 Hoffman Rd., Three Rivers, MI on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Elizabeth Alderson officiating. There will be a meal at the church immediately following the celebration.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to her Celebration.
Obituary Notice
On September 8, 2022, Mary Louise Faist took the hand of Jesus while she was surrounded by her loving family. She fought a courageous ten year battle with breast cancer, while she was gifted with time to express her love for God. Mary was a lifetime resident of Fisher Lake, where her family first settled in 1931.
Mary was born on September 21, 1949 to James J. and Gladys J. (Walter) Vondrak.
Mary enjoyed many opportunities to travel. Some of her favorite places were: Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Pennsylvania, and Mackinac Island. Merry Mary dearly loved the St. Joseph County Fair in Centreville, MI.
Mary was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class of 1967. A graduate of Glen Oaks Community College in 1987 earning an Associate of Arts Degree. In 1990, she also attended Penn State University’s Executive Program for Spouses.
Mary had a twenty-five year career as Secretary at Three Rivers Middle School.
Mary was a longtime member of Light and Life Wesleyan Church.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband Jim of fifty-five years and the love of her life. Her daughter, Katherine Ann Faist-Lutz of Three Rivers. Grandchildren, Ryan (Cheyenne) Lutz of Burr Oak, Mi. and Michaela (Josh) Freeman of Chula Vista, California. Great-Grandchildren, Everett James Lutz and Emersyn Louise Lutz.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Theresa A. Sandrock; and her Uncle Charles Vondrak.
Additional Information
Memorials are suggested to Light and Life Wesleyan Church Children’s Playground. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Hohner Funeral Home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
Mary was a beautiful person inside and out. She always had a great smile .
My Deepest Sympathy
Arlene Parsons
Was there a brighter smile in Three Rivers then Mary’s? I don’t think so! She was a warm and most friendly lady! It was a pleasure knowing here for many years! Sincere condolences to Jim, Kathy and family!! Mary Ann Sindt
MARY N I BECAME AQUAINTED ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO WHEN WE STARTED OUR FOOD TRAILER AT FAIR . MARY N I WOULD MEET UP OFTEN AT FAIR N SIT OR STAND FOR AN HOUR SOMETIMES. N JUST TALK . MY MOM HAD CANCER TO SO WE HAD LOTS TO TALK ABOUT . WILL MISS OUR TALKS MARY . REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND🥰
I’ve know Mary since kindergarten & went all thru school with her. She was a very sweet & funny lady who will be missed by many. Fly with the Angel Mary.
Our sincere condolences. Mary was a beautiful lady inside and out. She had a beautiful smile that would lift anyones spirit. She had an amazing outlook and loved her God. Keeping you in prayer 🙏
Jim (Jimmie as I call him) is my cousin. I loved Mary, his dear partner. May he feel the love I send his way. Mary was pure goodness and Jim will continue her goodness because that is who he is. Blessings and love to Kathy and her family.
Mary was a beautiful lady. She treated our Austin like family! She greeted us with a smile and a gentle love. She had a heart of gold and a love for Christ that was steadfast. Our sincere condolences to Jim, Kathy and the kids.
Merry Mary I will always remember how she loved the Lord and her joy was contagious. I met Mary when I was a manager of Curves. She was always at Curves at a minimum 3 days a week and when she was traveling she would workout at other Curves locations. Mary helped me get through one of the hardest times of my life. She felt like a mother figure to me. She welcomed me to her Church one Sunday. I remember going in by myself with my only son at the time. I was uncomfortable at first because my hubby wasn’t with me because he worked nights. I remember sitting down with tears in my eyes. She gave me the biggest hug and said sit with us I’m so glad you’re here. She loved her family so much. I loved how she would share stories with me about her beloved daughter and Kathy and her family. She was so proud of all of them. I’m thankful for the impact she had on my life. Her light shined so beautifully. One of the sweetest women I have ever know. You will be missed however we rejoice knowing you are with our King and that we will be reunited some day. 💜
So sorry to hear of her passing.she was a very nice lady.new her years ago from attending middle school in trs.will be missed.my condolences to the family.. rip mary.rest easy
We will always remember Mary as a “joy-spreader.” She brought a lot of light into this world with her acts of kindness, encouragement, and adventurous spirit. Mary loved Jesus and I know exactly where she is. Heaven is full of more laughter, hugs, and great stories because Merry Mary is there tonight. Jim, Kathy, Mikayla, Ryan and families, you have our deepest sympathy.
Jim and family; we are sorry to hear of Marys passing . We all know she has been accepted into Heaven and is on another journey.
Condolences to all the Faist family!!!!!!!!!!
Barb Davidson texted me this afternoon to tell me about Marry. I am so sorry to hear about this. My deepest condolences to you, Jim and your family. May God surround you all with His love, comfort and peace during this very sad time.
Judy Gilchrist-Mohney of Stayton, Oregon
Merry Mary was a delightful, beautiful, GOD loving lady. She loved her family so very much. May you RIP my friend. Prayers for you, Jim, Kathy, and family.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Merry Mary was a beautiful lady inside and out. There are NO words I can say to express how much we love Mary (and Jim). They helped us through some rough times. They treated our sons, Steven, Tyler and Joshua, as if they were their own. For this, I will be forever grateful to them. They were such a big part of my sons lives when they were growing up. I really believe they had a big part in how all of my sons, grew up to become nice, young men.
I learned so much from Mary, in school and at Church. I always looked forward to seeing her, she gave the best hugs and always was sincerely happy to see me. I always knew she would be there to brighten our day with her beautiful smile.
Sending prayers and (((hugs))).May God give Jim, Kathy, Ryan and Michaela peace, comfort and calmness as they go through this. We love you all. Our deepest Condolences
“Merry Mary” was such a positive, friendly woman, who radiated love for God and her family. My sincere condolences on your loss.