Mary Ann (Ready) Horton

Mary Ann Ready Horton was born in Decker, Indiana on October 21, 1927, the beloved fifth child of eight to Ira and Orpha Hobson Ready.  Her family was a loving one, and she had good memories of growing up together, which she shared often with her children.  After her brothers and sisters married and their children were grown, the eight siblings gathered monthly with their spouses for what they called sibling get-togethers.  It was an enjoyable time for all.

When Mary was 10, her family moved to Carlisle.  After graduating from Carlisle High School, she worked at the Red and White grocery store.  When on an errand for the grocery store, she crossed paths with Bernard (Boots) Horton who had recently returned from WWII’s Pacific theater.  He asked her to the races, which she discovered afterwards was not a horse race but stock car race, but she enjoyed herself nonetheless, and this led to more times together.  They were married in 1947 and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Mary and her husband shared the same faith and values and worked hard to make a good life on their farm.  She multitasked before it became a trendy term.  She always had a garden and loved working in the yard.  Beautifying her yard was her greatest passion and she continued it until she was 89.  She made many of her children’s clothing – always new outfits for Easter and Christmas - and made draperies, prom dresses and bridesmaids’ dresses.  She was adept at refinishing furniture and pieces that her children originally thought horrid turned out to be beautiful, cherished pieces.  She was a good cook and could whip up a Swedish tea ring as if it were nothing.  A favorite memory of Mary’s multitasking involved the family’s Sunday outings after church for swimming and a picnic at Rainbow Beach in Vincennes.  She not only got the five children ready for church, she also fried chicken and packed the lunch BEFORE church.  To her children, there seemed nothing that she could not do.

The Carlisle Methodist Church and friends there were an important part of her life.  She was active in all aspects of service and enjoyed it very much.  She and her husband were also active with Farm Bureau.  She was president (the first woman president) of the Sullivan County Farm Bureau for several years, which afforded positive opportunities for travel and learning, while she actively supported farming issues.

Mary was a positive person, always telling her children to count their blessings and be thankful.  She was thoughtful and generous and was guided through life by her faith.  She was considered a wise and deliberate thinker.  Several of her grandkids when seeking a solution to a dilemma, would ponder, “What would Grammy do?” She loved music and taught her children songs they sang together throughout their lives.  She seemed to know the lyrics to any church hymn, which provided her with much comfort throughout her life.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Bernard, brothers Max and John, sisters Alice, Eva and Faye, and her son-in-law Jay Prediger.

Left to honor her memory are her children: Brenda Prediger, Nyna de Villar (Carl), Anna Mauck (Dan), Tim Horton (Carmen), and Curtis Horton (Jackie).  Her grandchildren: Christy Prediger (Jared), Patrick Prediger, Matthew Prediger (Susanne), Clint Pinkston (Ashlee), Clay Pinkston (Erin), Brandie Brown (Dustin), Tanner Horton (Carrie), Kaylissa Halter, Amber Horton, Lyndze Lambdin (Derick), Tori Mauck, CJ de Villar, and Janine (Scott) Bozeman.  Her great-grandchildren: Ryder, Hunter and Cannon Pinkston; Cole and Van Pinkston; Keith, Kynzlie and Kyle Brown; Caroline and Amelia Horton; Clayton Halter, Graham Jay Prediger, Levi Lambdin, Zach (Tina Marie), Tyler, and Carly Bozeman.  Also, her sister Pat and Family, brother Dale and Family, and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Mary will be on Friday, June 4, 2021 at noon at Holmes Memorial Chapel in Sullivan, Indiana, with Rev. Paul Myers officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am until time of service.  Burial will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers and gifts, if so desired, the family suggests that memorial contributions can be made the Carlisle Methodist Church Trustees.

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