Mary Catherine (Houseknect) Ohl Cragle, 96, died Monday, September 5, 2016 at the Lutheran Community Home, Seymour, Indiana where she had been a guest since October, 2011. Mary resided most of her life in Bloomsburg and Lime Ridge, PA.

Born June 10, 1920 in Wolfe Township, Muncy, PA to Miles Paul Houseknecht and Mabel Lake Houseknect. Mary was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother-Nyol Elisha Houseknect, sister – Corrine Houseknect Robbins and 4 half- brothers – Earl D. Houseknecht, Bruce D. Houseknect, Miles R. Houseknect and Harold S. Houseknect. She is survived by nephew, Garry Robbins, Muncy, PA, and nieces – Loretta(Truman) Winter, Muncy, PA, Kay Showers(George), Allenwood, PA , Lona McConnell, Muncy, PA and Darla Houseknecht, Williamsport, PA

Mary married Leroy F. Ohl, son of Victor and Bertha Gensel Ohl on 06/26/1936. Leroy preceded her in death on 11/23/1961. They had 5 children – Earl L. Ohl (Shirley), deceased 6/4/1994, Larry L. Ohl (Susan), deceased 2/8/1979, Linda D. Ohl Roark(Edwin), Indianapolis, IN, Marcia A. Ohl Hogg (Michael), Brownstown, IN and Lynne C. Ohl Mathews (Paige), Firestone, CO. She was also preceded in death by her two grandsons, Gordon Leroy Ohl and Brian Earl Ohl and son-in-law, Edwin S. Roark. Mary was quite proud that her son, Earl and all three of her son-in-law’s were ministers of the Gospel.

Mary married Ralph F. Cragle on 5/29/1968. Ralph preceded her in death on 1/5/2011. She has two step-children, Bonnie Cragle Shutt (Roger), Danville, PA and Ray Cragle, Princeton Junction, NJ.

Mary has 10 remaining grandchildren – Laurie Ohl Bell(Greg) of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Karen Ohl Shadle, Berwick, PA, Kelly Ohl, West Palm Beach , FL and Robert Ohl, Loxahatchee, FL, Nathan Roark(Nicole), Ingalls, IN and Heather Roark Van Gorp(Chris), Brownsburg, IN, Megan Hogg Peters(Blake) of Brownstown, IN and Mary Jo Mathews Dodge, Firestone, CO and Cheryl Mathews VanVoorhees(Matthew), Erie, CO and Dr. Ivy Shutt-Tamblin(John), Danville, PA.She leaves a legacy of 15 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.

Mary’s main focus was her children, her gift of hospitality – we jokingly called their house the Cragle Inn and her church. If the doors to the church were open, she was there. If there was work to be done, she was there. She was baptized 6/1/1932 in Wallis Creek, Westmoreland Twp., PA and became a member of the Bloomsburg Christian Church on 2/5/1935 where she retained her membership until her passing and was a Deaconess of the Bloomsburg Christian Church for 40+ years. She taught Sunday school and Christian Endeavor as well as a member of the choir there.

She was employed by the Husky Lounge, Bloomsburg University and Region Oil, Bloomsburg PA for a number of years. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary.

Mary was a wonderful cook and loved to share her cooking with her family and friends. "Mother Mary" will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We will be having a Memorial Service at the Bloomsburg Christian Church on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 2pm. All are Invited. Her ashes will be interred at Elan Memorial Park, Bloomsburg, PA.

Donations would be appreciated to the Bloomsburg Christian Church and Johnson University, Knoxville, TN in her memory.

For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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