White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Mary Ellen Andrews, 86 years old of Independence, IA, died Friday, November 28, 2014, at Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s Hospital, in Cedar Rapids, IA.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at the First Baptist Church with burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, both in Independence.  Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at the White Funeral Home, Independence and for an hour before services Wednesday at the church.  Memorials will be directed to the First Baptist Church and to the Independence Senior Center.

Mrs. Andrews was born December 13, 1927, in Independence, the daughter of John Stohr and Marie (Esch) Stohr.  She graduated from Independence High School with the class of 1945.  On August 17, 1946, she was united in marriage to Earl Andrews at the Grace United Methodist Church in Waterloo, IA.  They made their home in Independence where they raised their family while farming.  They also owned and operated Andrew’s Cafe on Main Street in Independence for 10 years.  Earl preceded her in death on May 2, 1986.  Mary Ellen enjoyed people and being an Avon sales representative, also crocheting, playing cards, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by one son, Randy (Karen) Andrews of Independence; one daughter, Janine (Charles Werner) Lange of Independence; three grandchildren, Molly (Shane) Beatty, Katie (Barry) Hoover, Brian (Angie Jenkins) Andrews; and five great grandchildren, Dalton and Blayke Hoover, Jackson, Kaitlyn and  Allison Beatty.  In addition to her husband, Earl; she is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Milo Stohr; and three sisters, Avanelle Randall, Evelyn Black and Therma Boies.

White Funeral Home, Independence, IA is in charge of the arrangements.