Mary Mela (Paveza) Scheidt

Mary Mela Scheidt, 90, of Chesterton, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:08 a.m. at Chesterton Manor, Chesterton, Indiana.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Otis), 101 N. Church Road, Otis, Indiana, with Rev. Richard Kozak officiating. Private burial will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Michigan City, Indiana. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington Street, Michigan City, Indiana is handling arrangements.

Mary was born July 23, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late James A. and Emma C. (Schindelar) Paveza. On September 13, 1958, in Berwyn, Illinois, she married Gilbert Scheidt, who preceded her in death on February 22, 2011.

Surviving are her daughter, Mary Catherine “Cathi” (Kevin) Wozniak of Valparaiso, Indiana; her son, Gilbert F. Scheidt, Jr. of Chesterton, Indiana; two grandchildren, Ian Wozniak of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Natalie (Justin) Mullen of Zionsville, Indiana; a sister, Claudia Soukup of Palm Harbor, Florida; a brother, James Paveza of Michigan; and four great-grandchildren, Johnny, Skylar, Harper, and Luca.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James A. and Emma C. Paveza; husband, Gilbert Scheidt, Sr; and her great-grandson, Frankie Wozniak.

Mary was a homemaker during her early years while raising her children and later worked in various positions as an administrative assistant. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Otis. Mary enjoyed crocheting, reading, and traveling annually to Palm Harbor, Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to Share Foundation for the Handicapped, P.O. Box 400, Rolling Prairie, Indiana 46371.

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