Mary Ellen Kalapach

Mary Ellen Kalapach, 96, of Lafayette, passed away at Creasy Springs Health Campus in Lafayette at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Mary Ellen was born July 5, 1927, the daughter of the late Jeff and Mary Louise Dilden Fleming in Clinton County, IN. She attended Oakland Grade School and graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1946 where she was a vocalist and sang “I’ll be seeing you” in a school convocation. In 1948 she was May Queen at Saint Boniface Church. Before she was married, she worked at the office at Vogue Cleaners for five years. Mary Ellen married Milton J. Kalapach at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette September 20, 1952, and he preceded her in death August 13, 2015. She was preceded in death by a brother Francis Fleming, sister-in-law Bonnie Fleming, sister Lucille Fleming Baker, and brother-in-law Steve Baker. Surviving is a daughter, Cynthia Lynn Kalapach (Rick Howard) of Indianapolis, IN, son Dorian Mark Kalapach of Lafayette, IN and grandson Chance Hansell (son of Cynthia) Crawfordsville, IN. Also surviving are three nephews, Jeff Fleming (son of her brother Jeff Fleming) (wife Pam), Steven Baker (son of Lucille Baker) (wife Leslie), and John Baker (son of Lucille Baker). Plus, great nephews and a niece Liam and Arwen Baker (grandson and granddaughter of Lucille) as well as twins Luke and Noah (son of John Baker). In the mid-1980s she served on a committee to celebrate her class reunion. In 1966, she was proud to have a picture of herself shaking hands with Neil Armstrong at a Founders Day Banquet at Purdue. Mary Ellen enjoyed sewing, traveling, dancing, bike riding, yard work, and collecting elephant figures. She was amazed at their tight family relationships and remarkable memory. Friends may call at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette from 10:00 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM Saturday May 25, 2024, Fr. Richard Weisenberger officiating. The interment will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to St. Boniface Church or the Save the Elephants Fund at savetheelephants.org. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is caring for the Kalapach family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com