Marie Surma   Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Surma, 97, of Rolling Prairie, IN, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, at 4:30 a.m. at her son’s home.

   She was born Aug. 31, 1913, in Sanger, CA, to George and Magdalena (Adam) Mueller.

   Mrs. Surma was a homemaker and former owner of The Peacock Inn for 15 years. She had also worked at Easy Heat, New Carlisle, as an inspector. She was a member of St. John Kanty Catholic Church and its Rosary Society, God’s Golden Agers Association, God’s Golden Warriors, Best Years Club, and Rolling Prairie Community Center.

   On April 18, 1931, in North Judson, IN, she married Emil R. Surma, who preceded her in death on Oct. 16, 1961.

   She was also preceded in death by her parents; son John Surma; two grandsons, Justin Surma and Brandon Surma; two sisters, Helen Kottka and Theresa Nicholas; and three brothers, John M., George F. and Edward J. Mueller.

   She leaves behind two sons, David (Sandra) Surma of Rolling Prairie and Ronald (DeVia) Surma of Weatherby Lake, MO; eight grandchildren, Anthony, Christopher, Jon-Paul, Amy, Shawn, Todd, and Troy Surma, and Carrie McGinty; 20 great-grandchildren; one sister, Ann Clayton of Fort Myers, FL; three brothers, Alvin E. Mueller of Apple Valley, CA, Fred W. Mueller of Mesa, AZ, and Harold L. Mueller of LaPorte; and many nieces and nephews.

   A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 10:30 a.m. LaPorte time at St. John Kanty Catholic Church, Rolling Prairie, with Rev. Ian Williams officiating. Visitation will be held at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. A rosary service will be held Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memoral Gardens, Michigan City, IN, following the service.

   Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Chapter of Indiana, 7301 Georgetown Rd., Suite 112, Indianapolis, IN, 46268; or Rolling Prairie Community Center, P.O. Box 426, Rolling Prairie, IN 46371.

   Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.