Mary Elaine Griess

Mary Elaine (Hayes) Griess left this earthly life on July 31, 2016, at Oakview Continuous Care and Rehab surrounded by her loving children.  The youngest child and only daughter of William Samuel (Cotton) and Mattie Elaine Williams Hayes , Elaine was born on August 11, 1930, in Luling, Texas.  Her family moved to Olney, Illinois in 1938 when her father was transferred with Halliburton Oil Company and later moved to Mt. Carmel. 

Elaine graduated from Mt. Carmel High School with the Class of 1948.  After Elaine married, she spent many years keeping books for local oil men while staying at home to raise her children and later began working in the insurance and billing office at Wabash General Hospital.  She also worked for Dr. Roger L. Fuller and Dr. Joseph Mohammed.  After her retirement, she worked part time at the Mt. Carmel Public Library.

Elaine was known for her witty sense of humor and her affectionate and generous spirit.  She adored her grandchildren and had a special relationship with each and every one of them.  Elaine was an avid reader and had a circle of friends in which they shared their love of books.  She also enjoyed playing golf in her later years.

She married Ernest “Ernie” Frank Griess on February 1, 1949, in Henderson, Kentucky and they celebrated 62 years together before his passing on December 25, 2011.  Together they had five children, Margaret Ellen (Robert) Storckman, Susan Elizabeth (Jack) Angle, Emily Carol (Dan) Teague, Ernest Paul (Cindy) Griess and Charles Robert (Robbie) Griess. 

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Amy Hale, Sarah Trapp, Robert (Kelly) Angle, Richard Angle, Gunnar (Kim) Griess, Krieger Griess and Thomas Teague, and by  great-grandchildren Chase Hale, Dane, Sommer and Kiptyn Griess and Jonathan Angle.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, her son Robbie, her brothers, Bill, Earl and Jack Hayes. 

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 4th at 10:00 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery.   A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home. 

Memorials contributions may be made to the Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies or to the Mt. Carmel Public Library.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Oakview Continuous Care and Rehab for the love and care Elaine received during the past six years.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Homes is honored to serve Mary’s family.

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