Mary Joanne Scheffel

Mary Joanne Scheffel, 89, of Cedarburg passed away Sunday morning, April 28, 2024, with her loved ones by her side.

She was born Dec. 18, 1934, in Waukesha to Gustav and Eleanore (Long) Scheffel.

Her mother passed in 1945, and in 1948 Mary moved with her father, stepmother Gertrude Valentine Scheffel and siblings to Oconto Falls. She graduated as valedictorian from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1953, having been the editor of the school paper and a member of the yearbook committee.

In 1954, Mary attended Carroll College in Waukesha, graduating in 1958 with a degree in journalism. During her time at Carroll College, she was very active with the a cappella choir.

Mary started her career at the Milwaukee Journal in October 1958 as a receptionist and editorial assistant, eventually becoming an editor of the Neighbors/Lifestyle section until retiring in 1995.

In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting baby blankets for the newborns at church, needlepoint, making prayer shawls for church members and listening to classical music.

But what she was most passionate about was singing. She was a member of the Ozaukee Congregational Church choir, blessing everyone with her beautiful soprano voice. She wrote the script for the holiday musical services at her church and researched and wrote the church history.

Survivors are her brother Mark (Linda) Scheffel; nieces Mary Elliott, Susan (Jerry) Winter, Joanne (Dennis) Winnega, Patti Elliott (Jim Christensen) and Kelly Scheffel; nephews Terry (Wendy) Scheffel, Don Scheffel, Jody Scheffel, Howard (Linda) Elliott III, Douglas (Leia) Elliott, William Elliott, Richard Elliott (Barb Mand), David Elliott (Randal Herrin) and Nick Scheffel (Kelli Howe); 17 great-nieces and nephews; nine great-grandnieces and grandnephews; and cousins Fred, Vicky, Rick, Jeff, Jim, Tomand Sandy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, brother Don Scheffel, infant brother Richard, sister Barbara Elliott, niece Eleanore Elliott and nephew Scott Scheffel.

Memorial services will take place at Ozaukee Congregational Church, 1142 Lakefield Rd., Grafton, WI 53024, on Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the service. A reception will follow the service with refreshments and snacks in the church fellowship hall.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s ER and ICU and Horizon’s Lawlis Family Hospice, who were extremely kind and gentle with Mary. We truly appreciate everything you did to make her comfortable during her last days. The family would also like to thank her friends, who have been so supportive, especially her neighbor Joy Balius.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made on behalf of Mary to Horizon’s Lawlis Family Hospice.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.