Julia Mehall

Julia Mehall, 91, of Rensselaer, IN, passed away October 17, 2020 at Rittenhouse Assisted Living Facility in Portage, IN. She was born on February 8, 1929 in Puritan, Pennsylvania to Michael and Mary (Kapolka) Sauger. Julia was a graduate of St. Clements High School in Detroit, Michigan. She was a homemaker who dedicated her life to her family, raising three daughters and managing their household. When her daughters were older, she worked in the food service department at St. Joseph’s College for 15 years as an Administrative Assistant. In the 1930's, Julia's family moved from the small coal mining town to Detroit. On Julia's first day of school, she was stopped at a street corner by a "funny boy wearing a fancy white sash and belt, holding a STOP sign”. He told her she couldn't cross the street. Later in the day, she was reprimanded by the principal and introduced to the crossing guard, Andy Mehall. On November 18, 1950 the crossing guard and the disobedient girl were married at St. Clements Church in Center Line, Michigan. Julia was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer. She was an avid reader and a collector. She was very proud of her extensive collection of wooden nutcrackers. She enjoyed spending time with friends playing pinochle, and she would seemingly win all the time. She is survived by her children, Mary Elizabeth (Michael) Watkins of Highland Ranch, Colorado, Andrea (Ernest Jr.) Watson of Rensselaer, Indiana, and Retired Lt. Col. Leslie (Major Cindy Beard) Mehall of Alexandria, Virginia; her sisters, Patricia (Dr. Charles) Eisenman and Susan (Donald) Marriott, both of Michigan; two granddaughters, Jennifer L. (Joseph) Camacho of Goshen, Indiana and Victoria K. Watson of Toledo, Ohio; and two great-granddaughters, Jayla Camacho and Jiana Camacho. Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Mary and her husband, Dr. Andrew G. Mehall. Friends may call for a Time of Remembrance at Jackson Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CDT. Social distancing will be observed and masks must be worn at all services due to the current pandemic. Memorial contributions in Julia’s honor may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Julia Mehall

February 8, 1929 - October 17, 2020