Mary L. Lackore, 92, of Goshen, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen surrounded by family and many people she had touched.

She was born in Ames, IA on August 28, 1933, to the late Harlan H. and Mary J. (Parsons) Harper. Also preceding her in death were one sister and five brothers.

On August 26, 1954, in Ames, IA, she married Rev. Gene A. Lackore. Gene died January 14, 2012. Surviving are four daughters: Tacy J. Heisey of Goshen, Lynee L. Rich of Warsaw, Kristin M. (Bruce) Young of Plainfield, IL, Genelle A. (Mark) Groh of Margate, FL; one son, Rev. Lance R. (Mary Briesky) of Jefferson, WI; fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Karel (Jerry) Hedrick of Davis, CA.

Mary was a schoolteacher in Elgin, IL and Connecticut prior to her retirement in 1998. Although she began teaching in the early grades, she later began teaching 5-6th graders when her interests changed to Outdoor education. She graduated with a master’s degree in outdoor education at Northern Illinois University. Mary was a 2nd generation P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood and was instrumental in the start of Battle of the Books in Elgin, IL., a regional school district reading initiative reflecting the need and benefit of reading skills in every walk of life. Well into her 80’s Mary taught English as a second language and was active in helping with the many challenges immigrants face. One accomplishment Mary was so proud of was being given the Golden Hoosier Award in 2017 for her commitment to volunteering in her community. This was complete with a ceremony and was presented to the US Senate.

Mary was a faith-filled person who always led with her heart and faith in doing God’s work and ministering to all she encountered. Her joy was in spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her extended families. Mary had a deep faith all her years and was always involved in anything she could do to help in the Lord’s work. She always sang in the church choirs and was active in all aspects of her church families. Mary was also a mom of 5, an artist, involved in 4-H, canning, making jams and freezing produce, along with being an incredible cook and seamstress.

Visitation for Mary will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 3:30 pm until 4:30 pm at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm with Rev. Quinn Brenneke officiating. Mary will be laid to rest next to Gene on September 12, 2026, at 11:00am at Wind Ridge Memorial Park and Nature Conservancy in Cary, IL.

Memorials will be given to Elkhart English as a Second Language Program. Checks payable to Hively Avenue Mennonite Church with a note in the Memo field reading - ESL.