Mary Jean Wethington, 79 years old of Aurora, IN, passed away peacefully in her sleep December 29, 2025. Mary Jean was a servant of God to whom she put first on a daily basis. She transformed her home, her barn, and her land into a respite oratory for others. Mary Jean welcomed everyone with open arms and encouraged them to come to her property to pray and to heal. She installed a large wooden cross across the floor of her barn so that people could place their intentions upon it. Daily, she would walk the cross and audibly pray those intentions. There are plans to move this cross to a Dearborn County Catholic church property so it can be accessible to everyone. This endeavor, called the Respite Oratory Project, will allow Mary Jean’s dream to live on.
As a spiritual companion, she was constantly looking for ways to heal others. Through adorative prayer, healing touch, and peaceful blessings, Mary Jean took it upon herself to be a source of love and compassion. She believed that earthly life was a foretaste of heaven, and that we experienced the fullness after our death. She helped many people transition from life to the fullness we hope to experience in heaven one day.
Mary Jean had a fondness for animals and many were fortunate to be part of her daily routine. Her neighbor’s horse, Flame, dogs, Samson, Bess, Foxy, and Rosie and even the neighboring cattle, whom she called by their tag number, were recipients of her boundless love. Mary Jean was blessed by an All Saints Parish Mission Trip when many high school students, parents, and priests took part in sprucing up her sanctuary. The team spent multiple days cutting down trees, cleaning up the yard, and doing their part to improve the beauty of her land. Mary Jean was unforgettable. If it wasn’t the joy she carried in her heart, it was her love of bling and color, specifically blue eyeshadow, that would leave an imprint. Pinks and blues were her favorite colors to wear and she was always put together in an over-the-top fashion sense. But, there was a glow beyond her bling that attracted others. It was the intimacy and beloved adoration for God and humanity that shone through.
Services honoring Mary Jean will be held on Monday, January 5 at St. John the Baptist Church of All Saints Parish in Dover, IN. Rosary will begin at 2:00pm followed by Adoration until the start of Mass of Christian Burial at 3:00pm. A private burial will be held at a later date. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to Respite Oratory Project and Masses. Donations will be accepted during the Rosary and Adoration or can be mailed to the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.