Mary Ann Adam, 75, of Schererville, Indiana, passed away on September 14, 2025. Born on July 29, 1950, to the late Sophie (née Dominik) and Joseph Hapak, she is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years George, her sons Michael (Karen), Paul (Andrea) and Andrew, her daughter Barbara (Erik) Spoering, and her grandchildren Isaac, Daniel, Alyssa, Dominik and Colette. She is also survived by her siblings Louise (Joe) Balotti, John (the late Susan) Hapak, Stan (Sharon) Hapak, Ann Carol (Ron) Rogina, and Raymond (Michelle) Hapak. She was preceded in death by her brothers Joseph T. Hapak, Fred (Barbara) Hapak, and James (Susan) Hapak. Mary Ann had numerous cousins, nieces and nephews whose lives she impacted.
Mary Ann dedicated her life to teaching and education. Her career as a Catholic school elementary teacher began at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Chicago in 1973. From there, she also taught at Sacred Heart School in Whiting. She then completed her distinguished career with 29 years of service at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in St. John (“St. John the Evangelist”), from where she retired in 2015. After formal retirement, she continued to substitute teach at St. John the Evangelist and St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville (“St. Michael”). Her patience, warmth, and genuine love of learning touched generations of students and families.
Beyond the classroom, Mary Ann gave back to her community through her longtime involvement in the Schererville Civic Fund, where she helped strengthen the town she called home. She was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, cheering faithfully through highs and lows, and she carried that same loyalty, optimism, and joy into all areas of her life.
Mary Ann will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, treasured grandmother, caring sister, passionate teacher, and generous friend. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the students she inspired, and the community she enriched.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025 directly at the St. Michael Catholic Church, located at 1 E Wilhelm Street, Schererville, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am. Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 am CST, with interment at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery immediately afterward. Family and friends are invited to join for a luncheon at Teibel’s Restaurant, 1775 US Highway 41, Schererville, following the interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Good Samaritan Ministry (please contact St. Michael’s Parish for details – office@stmichaelparish.life) or Phil’s Friends of Crown Point (https://philsfriends.org/) that specializes in cancer patient support for Northwest Indiana.
