Mary Jane Pestow

Mary Jane Pestow, 88, of Goshen, died at her home Wednesday morning, April 13, 2011, of natural causes, surrounded by her family. She was born in Toledo, Ohio, on October 24, 1922 to the late Harold H. and Myrtle V. (Glickert) Thomas.  She married George Albert Pestow on February 3, 1945 in Goshen at St. John’s Catholic Church.  He survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Georgianna Paul of Hartland, Michigan, Mary Elizabeth (Harold) Gaskill of Riverview, Florida., Theresa (Jack) Rowe of Fort Wayne, and Cathy (Michael) Beachy of Goshen; four sons, Charles (Lynne) Pestow of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Joseph Pestow of Roachdale, Indiana, Lyle (Nancy) Pestow, Ocala of Florida, and George Pestow of Elkhart; 27 grandchildren; and 41 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine “Jerry” Juday in 2008. A Goshen resident since 1938 and a 1941 graduate of Goshen High School, Mrs. Pestow was a homemaker and housewife.  She had worked at The Goshen News from 1970 to 1984; in the switch department at Penn Electric; and during her high school years, at Erickson’s Drug Store and Icecream Shop.  She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Goshen; where she was belonged to the Rosary and Altar Society and St. Cecilia’s Study Club.  She volunteered for the Goshen Community Schools Breakfast Program; and her hobbies included sewing, knitting, canning and raising children. Friends may call 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 17, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 5 p.m. rosary will be held. A 10:00 a.m. mass will be conducted at St. John’s on Monday, April 18, 2011.  Rev. Father Christopher Smith will officiate.  Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen. Memorials may be given to Goshen Care at Home Hospice or for Family Intentions.