Mary V. (Biddle) Western, 93 of Columbus, IN passed away Tuesday July 13, 2010 at 12:20 pm at Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Mary was one of seven children born to Inez and Alex Berkenstock of Hartsville, IN. She was born in Hartsville June 8, 1917. Mary had five brothers, Leo, Bill, Carl and Bob who preceded her in death along with her parents and sister, Mildred Bullard. Brother Elvin lives in CA.
Mary married Max Biddle Oct. 14, 1933. He preceded her in death in 1961, they had five children, Ronald who preceded her in death, Myra (Davis) McIntosh of Mass., Diana Biddle of Columbus, IN, Mike (Bonnie) Biddle of CT., Bruce(Deborah) Biddle of Columbus. Mary married Harold (Lefty) Western May 7, 1962 who preceded her in death in 1983. Harold had one daughter, Pat Rinehart of Seymour. There are 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Mary, along with her husband Harold and son Bruce were founders of the Good Used Furniture Store in Columbus, IN. Mary retired from the business in 2005. Mary started in the furniture auction business in 1942 working out of a 2 car garage in East Columbus, IN. She moved the business to Jackson St. in Columbus before moving it to Shelbyville, IN in 1950 where she ran the Shelby Auction Co. with her husband Max until 1970. She then ran Sullivan's Restaurant with her husband Harold until 1972.
Mary was born and raised in Hartsville, IN until 1950, then moved to Shelbyville until she married Harold and moved to Columbus where she has lived until her death.
The funeral will be conducted Saturday July 17 at 10:00 am at Norman Funeral Home in Hope with Dr. Morris Hanna officiating.
Calling will be friday from 4 -8 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorials may be donated to Hospice of South Central Indiana and online condolences may be sent to the Western family at www.normanfuneralhome.net.