Mary Ann Feller, 97, of Valparaiso, IN was peacefully taken to be with her Lord on May 29, 2026, with her daughters by her side. She was born on May 4, 1929, in Kouts, IN, the daughter of Joe and Martha (Luthi) Heinold. She was the youngest child of six, with all her brothers, Raymond (Marie), Arthur, Orie (Louise), Harold (Sis) and Kenny (Janie) preceding her in death. She married Lynn E. Feller on Thanksgiving Day during a blizzard in 1950. He was the love of her life, and they had 49 wonderful years together. Soon after their marriage, they lived near Fort Sam in Texas as Lynn served his country; then they farmed the Heinold family farm in Kouts until 1958, when they moved to Morgan Township to a lovely home in the woods. Also in 1958, Lynn and Mary Ann founded Heinold & Feller Tire Company along with brother Ray and his wife, Marie Heinold, which became a flourishing family business that continues to this day. Mary Ann and Lynn were always a team, an incredible example to their children and grandchildren. Lynn and Mary Ann loved to travel together and visited many different countries, but they especially loved the USA and did everything they could to make their community stronger.
Mary Ann is survived by her five children: Mary Lynn Massner (Randy) of Valparaiso with whom she lived from 2017 until her death; Lu Ann Troxel (Tom) of Hanna, IN; Joe Feller (Jackie) of Valparaiso; Robert Feller (Monica) of North Wales, PA and William Feller (Stacey) of Nappanee, IN. They had 20 grandchildren: Jenny, Kristi and David, Rudy, Ned, Josh and Jackson, Jessica, Ross, Hannah and Rachel, Natasha, Austin, Celise, Laine, Phoenix and Morena, Michael, Olivia and Ashlyn. They have 25 great grandchildren so far. Also surviving are her brothers- and sisters-in-law Al Neukomm, Don and Judy Feller, Todd and Karen Feller, Kathy Feller and Fritz and Joan Waldbeser. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Kenny and Loretta Bauer, Bob and Elna Grimm, Geri Neukomm, Roy and Dona Grimm and Dale Feller, and her precious husband who died in August of 2000 just shy of their 50th anniversary.
Growing up with five older brothers, she had no choice but to join them as a supporter of the Chicago Cubs, holding out as a lifelong fan all the way through the long-awaited World Series title in 2016. Mary Ann graduated from Kouts High School as valedictorian around the same time as she was named runner up in the state's Miss Indiana contest. After graduation, she stayed home from college to care for her ailing mother and worked as the secretary at Kouts School.
Mary Ann was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church of LaCrosse, IN since the age of 18 when she gave her heart to Jesus. She did not just attend church, she lived church. She loved every person who passed through the doors, including at her winter church home in Fort Myers, FL. She had a servant’s heart giving many years of service to working in the kitchen every Sunday, helping at Parkview Haven (a retirement and nursing home) with organizing activities, family potlucks and playing piano for rhythm band. She taught Sunday School for several years and helped wherever and whenever there was a need. She always loved the hymn singing the most and sang with all her heart in her beautiful strong alto. Mary Ann was very hospitable and loved to entertain in her home.
She served the community on the Board of Review and the Extension Board for many years. She was a 50+ year member of the Extension Homemakers, including being the Porter County President, and helped with 4-H and the Open Class booths at the fair. She was very active at the school her children attended. She was a room parent every year rotating her children’s classrooms, the very first female PTO president the school ever had and headed up fundraisers for the music department each year. Everyone at school knew Mary Ann and her beautiful smile, and would call out “Hi, Mrs. Feller” when they saw her.
Mary Ann was an optimistic friendly woman, who rarely had a bad day, and had a hug for everyone. She was grateful for all her life experiences and all the people in her life that made it so full. Her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, meant everything to her and now she is spending eternity in Heaven with Him. She spent her last eleven days in the care of Dunes Hospice in her home.
Arrangements include a visitation at Kosanke Funeral Home in Kouts, IN on Monday, June 8, 2026 from 3-7 PM CST with the funeral being held at the Apostolic Christian Church in LaCrosse, IN on Tuesday, June 9th beginning at 10 AM CST. There will be time for meeting with the family from 9 -9:45 AM before the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harvest Call Haiti Dairy Program https://www.harvestcall.org/support-the-dairy , or Chariots for Hope http://www.chariotsforhope.org/
GUESTBOOK
Mary Ann was an inspiration every time she entered Parkview Haven while my husband, Ben Metz, was the administrator! She was loved by everyone and all appreciated her enthusiasm to make their day happier. -Ben and Miriam Metz
What a beautiful tribute to a beauty lady, inside and out. It’s hard to put Mary Ann into words—but this was an amazing tribute. I haven’t been a part of Mary Ann’s life for many years now, but I have so many wonderful memories of her and her family from my younger days. There was and is no one like the beautiful family she and Lynn created. I will always cherish my memories with the Lynn and Mary Ann Feller family. Love always….. -Wendy Miller Burns
My prayers are with the family at this time of loss. I loved talking with Mary Ann whenever I would see her. She is a beautiful person inside and out. The last few years I was able to exercise with her and was amazed at her strength even for being on a walker. Mary Ann will be missed dearly. -Mary Girouard
What a wonderful, Godly mother you had! What a legacy she has left! When I think of your mom, I think of her smiles, always joyful, and full of the love of God. Our love, prayers, and sympathy are with you. -Dave and Arlene Metzger
What a wonderful person, truly a blessing to have known her! -Jerry Blum
What an amazing women!! She was always the kindest to Dave and I. Im sure she will be very much missed. God definitely blessed her and her wonderful life. Now she's resting in peace. Loved you Maryann! Lori K Bales
Dear Cousins, We wanted to reach out and let you know how much we love you and thinking of you as you lay your dear mom to rest. We are thankful for her victory in Jesus. We have such fond memories...... When I was young I resisted the hugs but as I aged I came to treasure them. When I think of your Mom this verse comes to mind "Luke 11:34 The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God's precepts]." She was a beautiful example reflecting Gods love to all of us. From the twinkle in her eyes, the smile on her face to the hospitality she shared with all of us. She was always excited to be a part of your lives growing up. I was always surprised at her knowledge of the Cub's lineup etc. I am pretty sure she knew more than I did about them. She made us all feel very loved. May you be blessed as you celebrate a life well lived. with much love, -Jeff and Ruth Grimm
We are sorry to not be present for the funeral of your dearly loved mother and grandmother. We had to return for a brief stay in Ft Myers for medical reasons. We were neighbors for many years in Golfview, moving there because of visiting our cousins and loving the location. We've driven back and forth to church on Sundays together many times. We knew her to be a very strong and determined woman who didnt want help unless absolutely necessary. Even tho we knew she had health issues, seldom was a complaint uttered. She was committed to her church , and her God and loved everyone. She is a bright presence in Heaven and will be missed on earth. -Perry and Sally Neihouser
Mary Ann was a wonderful example of a positive and loving person. We trust you will find comfort in the life she lived and the hope of eternity that she has. -Jerry Banwart
Back in 2005 , in my first 2 weeks of Troxel's family stay , I had a tooth abces fixed at the clinic thanks to LuAnn , and then I went to Grandma's house to rest for a litlle bit after a vicodin pill. I still remember when I woke up to Grandma's smile , and it just inspired me to live. She fed me up with a bowl of warm soup and it felt like home. I was so far away but she made me feel like the whole family was around me. Precious moments... She was that kind of person that enters the room and the whole atmosphere changes. I believe she was a very strong woman and her smile was everything. So far away I feel your loss and I am so sorry about that , but I truly believe that she will become an Angel for all of you , all of us. Hope you'll find the power to let her go and to move on with a peace of her smile and big heart in each of you. May she rest in peace. -Lina Moraru / Moldovanu
Dear Feller family, Many thoughts and prayers are with you as you lay a dear loved one to rest, I like many others benefitted from and enjoyed the love she so generously shared, she holds a special place in my heart. Love, -Mary Schrock
Such beautiful words written for a beautiful lady. It’s so hard to put Mary Ann into words— she is all that and more! I was fortunate to have known her. I haven’t been a part of her life for decades now, but my growing up years— so many wonderful memories with the Lynn and Mary Ann Feller family. I’m so glad you were able to have her in your lives for so long. She will definitely leave an empty space in all your hearts. What a welcome home party she must have had to reunite with Lynn. My deepest sympathies and prayers and love to you all. -Wendy Miller Burns
Mary Lynn, Lu Ann, Joe, Bob & Bill, You are so fortunate to have a mom who was the example of love. She was a big part of our women’s Bible study in Fort Myers since we started over 10 years ago. She will be missed. Aunt Mary Ann made everyone feel special and loved. Her smile was contagious. God bless you all as you carry on her legacy. With love, -Beth and Denny Mott
You all have our sympathy & prayers! -Duane & Jill Gudeman
It was with deep sadness that I saw Mrs. Feller's name in the obituary of The Regional News I receive it weeks later since I live in the Kansas City, MO area. I knew of her very well even though I believe I only met her once at my mother's wake in March of 2025. My mother was a classmate, and they were on the cheerleading squad together. When mom talked about Kouts and the school she always talked about Mary Ann. It was very heart warming to meet her at mom's wake and to give her a picture of their cheerleading squad at the wake that we found when going through mom's pictures for the wake. It made my day and a feeling that it was something that mom would have wanted done. Mom's last wish for an old friend. Miss Mary Ann you are a very God loving person. May the Good Lord Bless your family. -James Knope
