Mary Beth (Cochran) Winfrey

Mary Beth (Cochran) Winfrey
February 25, 1944 - March 23, 2025

Mary Beth (nee Cochran) Winfrey, 81, Michigan City, Indiana, passed from this life into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 23, 2025. She was born on February 25, 1944, in Michigan City, Indiana, to the late Onnie W. and Lois (Fabian) Cochran.

Mary Beth was a graduate of Elston High School, Class of 1962. In 1967, she graduated from Fort Wayne Bible College (now Taylor University, Fort Wayne Campus) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and taught lower elementary children at Springfield Elementary School. On July 13, 1968, she married Richard Penfold of Michigan City, Indiana. After his death on December 9, 2009, she married Ronald Winfrey of Michigan City, Indiana, on September 8, 2012, who preceded her in death on December 3, 2023.

Mary Beth was a charter member of Evergreen Baptist Church. She became a believer and follower of Jesus Christ at the age of 5. Mary Beth loved singing. She held many teaching positions throughout her life but her great love was teaching children about Jesus. Mary Beth served as a teacher/leader of many children’s ministries throughout her life, in particular AWANA Clubs ministries, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School programs. These roles continued while living in New Jersey and Georgia. There were also travel opportunities to France, Sweden, South Korea, Germany, and Austria.  

Mary Beth’s legacy extends through her children and grandchildren who are in the fields of teaching, ministry, management, law, military and civilian medicine, public safety, and national security. She is survived by her children: Chaplain Col. Mark (Robin) Penfold, (U.S. Army, retired) of Toano, Virginia, Ruth Ann (David) Wood of Loveland, Ohio, Emmy (Wayne) Jorgenson of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, and Erik (Coco) Penfold of La Porte, Indiana. Her deeply loved grandchildren include: John (Britney) Penfold, Dr. Maj. Matthew (Brianna) Penfold, Alicia (Neil) Ludwig, Michael McNally, Adrianna LeDonne, Nigel and Nadia Ortiz, and Ayden McKay Penfold (deceased on June 5, 2011). She was greatly blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Madelyn and Benaiah Penfold, Oliver Penfold, twins: Sophia and Macy Ludwig, Charlie McNally, and Azalea, Sage and Johari Ortiz. Mary Beth’s four siblings include: Michael Cochran (deceased on April 16, 2017), Stephen (Tonda) Cochran of Sarasota, Florida, Cheryl Strahle of La Porte, Indiana and Doreen (Brooks) Henry of La Porte, Indiana. 

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, April 4, 2025 at Evergreen Baptist Church, 2005 E. Coolspring Avenue Michigan City, Indiana with Chaplain Mark Penfold officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.  until time of service Friday at the church. Burial will follow the service at Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte, Indiana. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, Indiana, is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary Beth’s memory to AWANA Clubs International. Donations can be made online at https://awana.org/donate or by mailing a check to Awana Clubs International, 15877 Collection Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693-0158, or by giving through Evergreen Baptist Church.

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