Mary E. (Helms) Gallahan

Mary E. Gallahan, 94, of Peru, passed away 6:46 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Blair Ridge Health Campus. She was born in rural Cass County on December 11, 1928, the daughter of Ross and Ruth Winegardner Helms. She graduated from Twelve Mile High School. Mary married Ronald Dean Gallahan on November 13, 1948, at the Church of Brethren’s parsonage. He preceded her in death on June 18, 2011.  Mary and her husband Dean started Gallahan Oil Company and it served Miami County for 76 years. Mary enjoyed flowers, decorating her home, and hosting family events. She loved her grandkids and delighted in attending their sporting events. Mary was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Mary was a lifelong Republican and proudly hosted Barbara Bush in her home in 1988. Surviving are her children Lance (Carrie) Gallahan, Kevin (Laura) Gallahan, and Lori (Jeff) Laycock, son in law Randy Smith; grandchildren Betsy (Barry) Hiffner, Casey Smith, Sally (Josh) Nixon, Taralyn Gallahan, Allison (Robert) Clegg, Kyle (Mikaela) Gallahan, Sarah (Cooper Omundson) Gallahan, Keegan (Nikki) Laycock, Shea (Jocelyn) Laycock; great-grandchildren Delaney Roseberry, Lucas Hiffner, Nathan Dean Hiffner, Dash Nixon, Crew Nixon, Story Nixon, Payton Smith, Evelyn Smith, Braylon Laycock, Paxton Laycock, and Samuel Clegg; a brother HF “Fletch” Helms, sisters Lois Bowers and Elsie Strasser, and several nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, a daughter Jeri Lyn Smith, and seven brothers and sisters. Family and friends are invited to gather from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday March 17, 2023, at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St., Peru. A Celebration of Life for Mary E. Gallahan will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Chaplain Virgil Barker officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico, IN. You are welcome to wear bright colors in honor of Mary’s zest for life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home to Miami County Helping Hands or Guardian Angel Hospice.

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