Mary Lou (Provine) Rutledge, 81, of Crawfordsville, IN passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville after a brief battle with cancer.

Born March 6, 1940 in Industry, Illinois to the late Vena (DeWitt) Provine and Carl Provine, she was a 1958 graduate of Industry High School.

Mary Lou left home for Crawfordsville to attend Western Union School. Shortly after she met Jerry Rutledge whom she married on June 13, 1959, and he preceded her in death on December 11, 2002. Together they had two daughters: Bridget and Jill. She was employed by Raybestos for nearly 30 years before retiring.

She cherished her family and close friends and was happiest when she was with them. Mary Lou enjoyed cooking, baking, shopping, traveling, and playing euchre. She had also volunteered with Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene.

Surviving are daughters Bridget (Charlie) Miller of Crawfordsville and Jill Rutledge of Lafayette; grandchildren Shawn (Megan) Randall-children Noelette and Brantley of Crawfordsville, and Tiffany (Subaltern) Hall-daughter Aailyah of Washington; sister Pat Hughes of Virginia; sisters-in-law Helen Provine of Texas and Shelia Provine of Illinois and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Ivan (Maria), Eldon, John, and infant sister Martha Provine.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 2pm until her celebration of life at 4pm at Burkhart Funeral Home, Crawfordsville.  The family asks that those attending wear face masks. Private family interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 681405, Indianapolis, IN 46268 or by calling 1-800-227-2345.