Mary Miller Blickenstaff, originally from Frankfort, IN, passed away on June 27, 2022.  Mary and the absolute love of her life and husband for 72 years, Bradley Smith Blickenstaff, lived at University Place, 1700 Lindberg Rd., W. Lafayette, IN.

Mary was born on May 4, 1931, in Frankfort, IN, the daughter of Lawrence and Garnett Miller.  Mary graduated from Frankfort senior High School and attended Butler University where she was a proud and lifelong member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.  Mary was very proud to have both of her granddaughters become “Thetas” also, one at the University of Georgia and the other at the University of Kentucky.  Mary was also a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa.

First and foremost, Mary was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker.  For many years, Mary was also an employee and part owner of the Frankfort Automotive Store and kept the books for several other NAPA stores in central Indiana.  During her many years in Frankfort, Mary was a devoted choir member and Organist for First Christian Church.  She also served on the Frankfort Community Library Board.  When she and Brad retired, they moved to Petoskey MI where she was an active member and sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs, MI.  During the winters, they lived in St. Augustine, FL, where she was a member and sang in the choir of the Presbyterian Church of Ormond Beach, FL.

Mary was an accomplished seamstress and loved to knit, quilt, and crochet.  She was also an avid golfer and she, like Brad, also loved the outdoors.  They spent many wonderful years of their retirement traveling the country in their motor home, riding their snowmobiles on 100-mile trips in northern Michigan, hunting mushrooms, and enjoyed some of the best fishing trips in Alaska and Canada.  Mary will always be remembered for being one of the kindest and most thoughtful and caring souls most people will ever meet.  She didn’t have a mean bone in her body and always saw the best in everyone with whom she met.

Visitation and Services

A short and private celebration of Mary’s life will take place in Brad’s room at University Place with Reverend Mia Smith officiating. No flowers please. Donations may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, IN or University Place Foundation, W. Lafayette IN or the charity of your choice.

Survived by:

her loving husband and soul mate, Brad, their two sons, Steve (Jane) of Lynchburg, VA and their two daughters Beth Ladd (Carter) and Kate Poats (Will), and Dave, of Pueblo West, CO and his two sons Brandon (Rachel) and Derrick. 

Preceded by:

two sisters Kathryn “Katy” Godfrey and June Bowman and two brothers, Kenneth Miller and Herbert Miller.