Mary Lou Apple passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the age of 96. Mary Lou was born in Centerville, Iowa on August 30, 1928, to Thomas J. Miller and Marie Miller. At an early age she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and faithfully served him the rest of her life.

Her love of music was a gift she carried and passed down through generations. She sang alto harmonies in church pews and choirs, and at home, she filled the air with beloved music, whether singing with the family, spinning old records, or teaching along the way—in the car, on the piano bench, in the kitchen, anywhere a song could be shared.

Mary Lou was a life-long "Die-Hard Chicago Cubs Fan" from the age of 4 when her father took her to her first baseball game in Wrigley Field. She faithfully watched their games, and when she moved to Texas (2020) she subscribed to MLB TV so she could continue to see them play.

From the early '70s to her retirement in 1993, Mary Lou worked as a physical therapy aide at Henry County Memorial Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She enjoyed her work and did her best to provide tender, loving care to the patients. She was recognized by the hospital administration for her service.

Numerous members of Mary Lou's family served in different branches of the U.S. military. Because of this, she was a supporter of their service and anyone else who served. Mary Lou was a proud member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and the U.S. VFW Auxiliary.

Mary Lou is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Craig Sheehy (Corpus Christi, TX); two step- daughters: Tammy Stiles (Ozark, MO) and Carol Appel (Burlington, IA); two grandchildren: Courtney (Jamie) Johnson (Macomb, IL) and Micah (Monique) Peck (Mt. Pleasant, IA); three step-grandchildren: Terri (Joe) Putney (Seguin, TX), Michael Sheehy (IA), and Scott (Jessica) Sheehy (W. Des Moines, IA); five great-grandchildren: Eliza and Seth Johnson; Evelyn, Addison, and Ethan Peck; and two step-great grandchildren: Brenten Sheehy Graves (Graettinger, IA) and Sadee (Gary) Dixon (Cincinnati, OH).

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas J. Miller (1960) and Marie Miller (1967); husband, Harold Apple (2002); her sons D. Michael Helm (1993) and David Carpenter (2010); her sister Olive Fisher (2004) and her brother Thomas Miller (2004).

A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2:00 p.m., at Grace Community Church, 1514 Flour Bluff Drive, Corpus Christi, TX. It was Mary Lou's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to Grace Community Church at gracecommunitycc.com/give .