UPDATE: Popular Warsaw Architect Killed In Crash
An accident in Wabash County Thursday afternoon claimed the life of a popular Warsaw architect.
Mary Ellen Rudisel Jordan, 61, was killed when another vehicle crossed the center line of SR 15 just south of the Kosciusko County line and struck her vehicle head-on.
Jordan, of Scearce Rudisel Architects, was active in the Warsaw community having served most recently on the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals, the Warsaw Breakfast Optimists Club and as an active member of Warsaw Community Church. She also served as past president of the Warsaw Community Development Corporation and was a former Warsaw Common Councilwoman.
According to the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department’s preliminary investigation, the accident happened in a no passing zone on SR 15 at Wabash County Road 1400 North. At about 3 p.m. a southbound 2014 Chevrolet driven by Carl W. Burt, 60, Warsaw, crossed the center line and struck Jordan, who was northbound. Jordan died at the scene of the crash. Burt’s injuries are unknown, but he was airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital.
Jeff Pfeifer, pastor of Community Care at WCC told StaceyPageOnline.com that Mary Ellen and her husband, Jim, were leaders in the 50 and over classes at WCC. “They were very active and led that ministry and always very much involved in volunteering, leading and mentoring. She was very kind and definitely has a heart for the Lord,” said Pfeifer, who has known Mary Ellen for approximately 8 years. “I would see her at events like funerals and viewings when people where going through those kinds of times and i would see how she would react to people; very kind. She was a very joyful person and ready to laugh.”
Steve Possell, executive director of Combined Community Services, also said of Mary Ellen, “She was instrumental in getting us the land for our agency, she was the architect who developed the blueprints and she was just a great help to CCS. She will be sorely missed in the community as a professional and more as just a really good person.”
Titus Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Although a complete obituary is not yet available, visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at Titus Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the funeral home.