Mary Fackenthal

Mary was born on December 8, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Howard and Mabel (Reeves) Sturwold. As a young child, she acquired the nickname Micki which she used throughout her life. Micki graduated from Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana in 1945 and Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, Indiana in 1949 and 1958. The time at Ball State was the beginning of big adventures. She was a cheerleader and member of their first synchronized swimming team. Her passion for art made it possible for her to design Ball State Teachers College’s flag. It was at Ball State that she also met her first husband and father of her three boys. Micki taught in Indiana public schools as an elementary teacher and a K-12 art teacher. After her career in public schools, she taught computer graphics. Art was both a career and a passion for Micki.

During her public-school career, Micki proudly served as a member and president of the Indiana Art Teachers Association. In retirement, she was active in the Art Leagues in Nashville, Indiana as well as Frostproof and Lake Wales, Florida. Besides art, her interests included gardening, sewing and needlework, traveling, and reading. She stayed interested in current world and national events until her final days of life.

Mary (Micki) is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Donald E. Howell, her second husband Harry “Mike” Fackenthal, and a grandson Daniel Howell. She is survived by three sons Jeffery (Linda) Howell of Elgin, Illinois; Timothy (Cheri) Howell of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and Douglas (Lisa Marie) Howell of Oro Valley, Arizona, as well as a stepson Fred (Judy) Fackenthal of Indianapolis, Indiana. Other survivors include five grandchildren (Jamie, Courtney, Clayton, Jeremy, and Kathryn) and two great-grandchildren (Max and Elliott).

The family would like to thank the staffs of RobinBrooke Senior Living and Peridot Senior Living who were a special part of her life for the past 10 years. They would like to especially thank Hosparus Health of Central Kentucky, who cared for Micki in her final days of life.

A memorial service and interment of ashes at Jones Cemetery will take place in Muncie, Indiana in late spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hosparus Health Central Kentucky or a charitable organization of your choice.