Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan, 61, of Warsaw, Ind., passed away at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2013, as the result of a car accident on SR 15 just south of Silver Lake, Ind., in Wabash County.
She was born July 23, 1951, in South Bend, Ind., to Raymond and Mary Ann (Summy) Gradeless. She was a 1969 graduate of LaVille High School, Lakeville, Ind., where she was the class solitarian. She attended Manchester College before going to Ball State University where, in 1974, she earned her degree for the Ball State University Architectural School
Mary Ellen lived most of her life in Warsaw. She married Rev. James “Jim” Jordan on March 20, 2000, in Warsaw. As her husband, Jim was blessed by the 13 years they shared. “Words can’t adequately describe the emptiness that her absence brings. But Mary Ellen was my soul mate, my very best friend and devoted wife.”
In 1997 Mary Ellen purchased Scearce and Associates from Don Scearce, P.E. and reincorporated the firm as Scearce Rudisel Architects, Inc. Mary Ellen Rudisel-Jordan, AIA has been providing architectural services for Warsaw and surrounding area for sixteen years.
She was a member of Warsaw Community Church where she and Jim were leaders of the ’50 Somethings’ ministry. She was also a leader and mentor within the church; she will be remembered for her humor (especially her Sven and Ole jokes), wisdom and friendship by many at Warsaw Community Church. Her faith in God and her devotion to Jesus Christ gave witness through all she stood for and accomplished.
Mary Ellen is a past president and Lieutenant Governor of the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club where also she sang with the Optimist Singers. She was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Indiana, former Indiana State Secretary of the AIA Indiana, former President NWAIA Indiana, National Historic Building Restoration Assessor, president of the Warsaw Community Development Corporation and member of the Warsaw Zoning Board.
She and Jim established the Way Maker Trust Fund through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. The fund allows architectural designs to be drawn up to help small churches and nonprofits (i.e. libraries) become handicap accessible. Jim shares that Mary Ellen was an inspiration; she brought out the best in everyone she met, her joy and exuberance were infectious and her positive attitude gave hope and energy. As an avid reader Mary Ellen was a frequent patron of the Warsaw Community Public Library reading four to five books a month.
While her death is a great loss, the legacy and memories of Mary Ellen will live on. The positive changes she has made in our community will endure.
She is survived by her husband: Rev. James B Jordan, Warsaw; two sons: Stephen (Alex) Rudisel, West Lafayette, Ind.; and PV2 Daniel S. (Amanda) Rudisel, San Antonio, Texas; a daughter: Leanna M. (Jeff) Anderson, Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; her mother: Mary Ann Gradeless, Warsaw; her father and stepmother: Ray and Donna Gradeless, Mishawaka, Ind.; a brother: Dr. Michael (Kathy) Gradeless, Carmel, Ind.; four stepsons: Joseph A. (Jeanette) Jordan, Columbia City, Ind.; Bradley A. (Renae) Jordan, Westfield, Ind.; Randall L. (Jodie) Jordan, Columbia City; Kevin L. (Jill) Jordan, Columbia City; and 15 step grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter: Rebecca Rudisel.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Pfeifer, Warsaw Community Church, Warsaw. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorials may be made to The Way Maker Trust Fund through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580, or at KCFoundation.org.