Mary McLien

Mary JoHanna McLien 75 of South Bend, Indiana was born on May 20, 1950, in Mishawaka, Indiana. The daughter of the late Charles Pat McLien Sr and Lucille JoHanna Herringer-Steinhofer. Mary Jo departed this life on Thursday, December 25, 2025. She was a vibrant soul with a heart of gold. Her life was filled with love, laughter and joy.

Mary Jo accepted Christ as her personal savior and became a member of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church. She attended services until her health declined.

Mary Jo was a lifelong resident of South Bend. She completed her primary education in the South Bend School system and then went on to further her career as a general laborer for many years.

Mary Jo met Therrel McElveen Sr and together they raised SunShyne as their own child. Mary Jo put family and friends at the heart of her existence. She loved spending time with family and having cookouts. When it became difficult for her to be the chef on the grill her family would take turns, along with friends, to barbecue the food she loved the most. She was very known by her community as the lady in the wheelchair riding down Western. She was so loved by many. Playing bingo was one of her favorite things to do but her most cherished hobby was parking cars for the games that the South Bend Cubs hosted. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her. 

Mary Jo was proceeded in death by her life partner Therrel McElvene Sr, her parents, Charles Pat McLien and Lucille (Herringer) Steinhofer, paternal grandparents, Allen and Mary (Richardson) McLien, maternal grandparents, Joseph and Johanna (Takats) Herringer, her siblings; sisters Frances Merrill Hatchett-Smith, Ida Mae Cecilia McLien (Dee), her brothers Charles McLien ll, James McLien and Edward Steinhofer, one nephew James Hatchett, one niece Sandra Hatchett, one great nephew Antonio Hatchett, and her step son Terrence McElvene.

Mary Jo is survived by her daughter Mary Louise Johnson of South Bend, IN., a stepdaughter; Lorraine McElvene of Indianapolis, IN., two stepsons; Therrel “Mack” McElvene, Damon McElvene both of South Bend, IN., two granddaughters; Mary Johnson (SunShyne) of South Bend, IN and Tonie Deena Scott (China) of Indianapolis, IN., five great grandchildren; Alyssa Harris, Karis Johnson, Paul Harris Jr., Lawrence Powell lV, and Lawryn Powell all of South Bend, IN., one great great grandson; Jarell Williams Jr. of South Bend, IN., a special niece; Elvonna Atkins of South Bend, IN., special cousins; Beverly Mitchell of Rochester, NY., Eddie Newsome of San Bernardino, CA., Candace Mitchell, Darryl Anderson Sr., Rosco Jackson, and a special nephew; Wayne Allen Jefferies all of South Bend, IN., along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. 

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