Mary Ellen Spohn

Mary Ellen Spohn, 83, of Monroe, NC passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025. She was born in Wayne County, MI on September 19, 1942, daughter to the late James E and Julie M Rohen. She is also preceded in death by her husband Ronald Eugene Spohn.

Born in Michigan, Mary Ellen happily belonged to a large family with 2 brothers and 4 sisters. She graduated from Evart High School and entered the convent with the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mequon Wisconsin where she took her simple vows. She attended college at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI and began teaching. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree of Philosophy and minors in Elementary Education and Theology. Mary Ellen earned a reading specialist certification at Central Michigan University and then spent years teaching. She eventually had a calling to be a mother and left the convent. Her family introduced her to Ron and they courted. They married in 1969 and quickly had 4 kids in 5 years! She loved being a stay-at-home mom and also supported Ron’s business as the office manager of Spohn’s Body Shop in Naperville, Illinois where they raised their children.

In 1984, they moved to North Carolina as Ron pursued a racing career in NASCAR and they raised their children while traveling the country racing. Mary Ellen played the piano at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for many years and taught religious education. She was a teacher and substitute teacher throughout Union County. She loved to travel with her children and grandchildren and was always willing to endure the weather while watching them compete and perform. Her Catholic faith was a big part of her identity, and she participated in the women’s guild, making rosaries and serving meals at a local shelter. She wanted to bring people closer to Jesus and their Catholic faith and when she was not praying for family and friends, for fun she loved bowling and playing cards at the senior center.

A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1095 E Franklin St, Monroe, NC 28112, with interment to follow at Lakeland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 7:00PM at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave. Monroe, NC 28112.

Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter Hollymarie Prokup and husband Larry, daughter Alison Kavulich and husband Larry, son Shawn Spohn and wife Alli, and daughter Lisa Alexander, twelve grandchildren, Andrew J Britt, Stephen Britt and wife Katie Sternowski, Emma Kavulich, Caroline Kavulich, Sophie Spohn, Scarlett Spohn, Brian Starnes and wife Bethany Starnes, Brooke Storey and husband Sam Storey, Katherine Starnes, William Alexander, Lauren Alexander, and Ava Alexander.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church’s Religious Education Program, where she was an active member since 1984.

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to be entrusted to care for the Spohn Family.