Mary L. Frye

Mary L. (Koelling) Wirth Frye, 80, of Patoka, IN passed away peacefully Friday, August 15, 2025 at Transcendent Healthcare of Owensville, surrounded by loved ones while Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces played on the TV. She was born on the family farm on Baseline Rd. January 15, 1945 in Evansville, IN to the late Carl H.C. Koelling and Myrl C. (Tharp) Koelling. Mary graduated from Reitz High School in 1963. She married Les Wirth June 9, 1967 and was blessed with two daughters. Mary and Les divorced, but remained great friends. She spent her younger years working on the family farm and babysitting for the neighbors. Mary worked as a waitress for several different places, at Shoptaugh Drugs, Cardinal Associates, Hurst Manufacturing, and she delivered the Princeton Clarion and Evansville Courier and Press. She spent a majority of her life mourning the loss of her daughter Jody Lynn in a tragic drowning in 1976. Mary found love again, she married Robert “Bob” Frye February 1, 1986. They were blessed with 39 years of marriage before his passing just about a month ago, July 19, 2025. Mary did seem to come back to enjoying life when she found out she was going to be a grandma. She seldom missed anything those two kids were involved in. Mary also enjoyed watching IU basketball, Indiana Fever, and Las Vegas Aces basketball.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert “Bob” Frye; daughter, Jody Lynn Wirth; brother, Cletus Koelling; ex-husband, Les Wirth; and best friend, Mary Alvis.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Julie Wirth-Evans (Terry Smith), grandchildren, Jacob Evans (Brandy) of Princeton and Kilee Evans of Owensville; great-grandchildren; Jasilynn, River, and Lawson Evans, and Creighton “Charlie”  Goldman; brother, Delbert (Patty) Koelling; sister-in-law, Brenda Koelling of Somerville; nieces; nephews; and step-daughter, Dawn Schmitt.

A graveside funeral service will be held 11 AM Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Evansville, IN with Pastor Kirk Horstmeyer officiating.

For those who wish, memorial contributions can be given to Riley Children’s Hospital, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN. 46202.  Online condolences can be given at ColvinFuneralHome.com where you can share a memory of Mary with her family. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Frye family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary L. Frye, please visit our floral store.