Mary Lou Rowe

Mary Lou Vornholt was born at home on Cottage Avenue in Columbus, Indiana, in Bartholomew County on January 17, 1936 to Carl and Lucille Vornholt

She passed away after an extended struggle with cancer and Alzheimer’s at her home in Collegedale, TN on July 16, 2018.

During her elementary years, she attended Columbus Adventist Elementary in Columbus, Indiana, and later spent her high school years at Indiana Academy near Cicero, Indiana graduating in the class of 1954.

After attending Emanuel Missionary College in Berrien Springs, Michigan Mary Lou dropped out of college to marry her high school sweetheart, Kermise Rowe.  They were married in the Indiana Academy Chapel on December 8, 1955, with Ruth Anne Barr, the sister of the bride, serving as the Matron of Honor and Berlin Rowe, the brother of the groom, as best man. 

Mary Lou spent her career working as a professional administrative assistant serving the last 25 years before her retirement in 2001 at Southern Adventist University.  She was an active member of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist church and attended the Open Circle Bible Study.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Kermise Rowe, as well as her parents, Carl and Lucille Vornholt. 

She is survived by her two Daughters-Susan Brown (husband Mark) of Georgetown, TN and Sandy Keele (husband, Don Keele Jr) of Calhoun, GA., Sisters, Ruth Ann Barr (husband Gene) of Lakeland, FL,  Carol Renshaw (husband Darrel) of Collegedale, TN, brother, John Vornholt, (wife Loa), of Clarkston, WA Grandchildren-Kelly Shipp (husband, Greg) of Chattanooga, TN,  Andrea Keele of Beltsville, MD, Jill Reading (husband, Bryce) of Spangle, WA and Donnie Keele III (wife, Rachel) of Berrien Springs, MI.    She was a Great-Grandmother and very proud of her Great-Grandchildren Clara Mae and Bryson Reading of Spangle WA.  Along with her immediate family she leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

Mary will be buried beside her husband, Kermise, at a graveside service on Monday, July 23 at 10 am, in the Collegedale Memorial Park to await the resurrection morning.

Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 22 from 4-6 pm in the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church Atrium.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.