Mary Jane Kehl Henry , November 21, 1921 — May 21, 2018

Mary Jane Kehl Henry, 96 passed away on Monday, May 21 at Allisonville Meadows in Fishers, Indiana Mary Jane was born on November 21, 1921, in Connersville, the second of six children of Howard and Helen Reardon Kehl. A graduate of St. Gabriel School, she graduated from Connersville High School with the class of 1939. After graduation, she worked for Kehl Jewelry Store and in 1943 became the first woman in Fayette County to enlist in the Women Accepted for Emergency Volunteer Service, later known as the WAVES.

After her naval service, she returned to Connersville and went to work for the Chamber of Commerce as executive secretary, a position she held until 1955. On July 28, 1955, she married Gene B. Henry in St Gabriel Parsonage. Mr. Henry passed away on April 30, 1986.

After her marriage, she and Gene became very involved in working with a group of local parents to develop educational opportunities for children with disabilities. The outcome of that group’s work resulted in the first special education classroom in Fayette County and later led to the development of Fayette County’s first workshop for adults with disabilities, known at that time as the Fate center. For many years Mary Jane and Gene enjoyed spending the winter months in Vero Beach, Florida where she could pursue the golf game she so enjoyed.

A member of St. Gabriel Church all her life, she also was a member of Tri Kappa Sorority, the Coterie, Questers, and O.L.G.A. Survivors include a stepdaughter, Patti Sue Newquist; her sister-in-law Dorothy Kehl; step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, David, William, Ronald, and Jimmy Kehl and her sister Patsy Kehl Miller.

Also, a stepdaughter, Jean Ann Reeve, and a stepson, William “Bill” Henry whom she raised. Family and friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 232 W 9th Street, Connersville, Indiana. Reverend Dustin Boehm will officiate.

Burial will follow in Dale Cemetery. Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences can be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.

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