Mary E. (Bond) Polk

Mary E. (Bond) Polk, 95, of Bloomington, IN, passed away on January 22, 2023. She was born December 5, 1927, in Busseron Township, IN, the daughter of Robert and Bessie (Ashby) Bond.

Mary received her Masters Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana University, Bloomington, and worked for the United States Internal Revenue Service in Bloomington for 40 years. Memberships include POE-Protect Each Other Chapter BQ, Oaktown Christian Church, and Bloomington Christian Church.

As a patron of the Arts, Mary loved attending the opera and other musical productions of the Jacob School of Music. She loved to sing and play the piano, studied geography, and had a lifelong thirst for knowledge. Mary was a proud IU alum, and enjoyed attending many home football games with her dear Julian as a member of the Varsity Club.

Mary had many interests, such as swimming, and enjoyed adult swimming classes by the legendary IU Swimming Coach, Doc Councilman. She also enjoyed baking, as her holiday pies were second to none. Mary liked to play various games and always played to win as a true competitor.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband of more than 55 years, Chauncey Julian Polk; daughter, Abby VanDemark; sisters, Roberta Ellen Perkins, Eloise Ruth Lee, and Helen Jean South (Bond); brothers, Frederick Maurice Bond and William H. Bond; nephews, Richard Lee South and Jay Lee; and niece, Ramona Jeanne South Markel.

Survivors include her son-in-law, H. Douglas VanDemark, Jr.; granddaughter, Kristin Polk (VanDemark) May; grandson, Doug VanDemark, III; great-granddaughter, Jennifer May Waite; great-grandsons, Joseph May, Tom VanDemark, Eric VanDemark, and Eli VanDemark; loving aunt to Janet Bond Dunkel, Paulette Brink, Mary Elaine South, Fred South, Ted South, Joel Perkins, Therese Perkins Bordenkircher, David Perkins, Jeff Bond, Tracy Bond Bowers; great-great-grandmother to Brayden, Aiden, Bentley, Camden, Jeremiah, Jacob, Charlie, Laura, and Taylor; great aunt to 25 great nieces and nephews; with special recognition to loving caregiver and niece, Mary Perkins Russell.

Family and Friends will gather Sunday, January 29, 2023, from 2-4 pm in Bussell Family Funerals, 1621 E. Greyhound Pass, Carmel, where the Funeral Service will begin at 4 pm.

Burial will take place Monday, January 30, 2023, at 1:30 pm in Oaktown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mary can be directed to the Bloomington Animal Shelter, 3410 S. Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47403 https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter, or the IU Jacob School of Music, 205 Jordan Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405 https://music.indiana.edu/giving/index.html. Envelopes will be available at the service.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

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