Mary Balbaugh

MILLER CITY - Mary Balbaugh, 94, of Miller City, died at 12:56 a.m. Friday, January 21, 2022 at The Meadows of Leipsic surrounded by her family. She was born May 7,1927 in Glandorf to the late Frank and Clara (Birkemeier) Hanneman. On June 22, 1949, she married Cornelius "Neil" Balbaugh. They enjoyed 69 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on July 11, 2018.

Mary is survived by four children: Rick (Nancy) Balbaugh of Lima, Nancy (John) Gerding, Joe Balbaugh, and Martha (Larry) Hermiller, all of Miller City; 10 grandchildren: Nathan (Michelle) Gerding, Dr. Andrew (Emily) Balbaugh, Amanda (Mike) Bogardus, Audrey (Scott) Embacher, Amber (Brad) Niese, Jared (Marie) Balbaugh, Mary (Chad) Verhoff, Justine (Kyle) Warnimont, Laina (Josh) Klingler, and Derek (Britney) Hermiller; 23 great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Harold (Leoma) Balbaugh and Melvin (Carolyn) Balbaugh; both of Miller City; and sister-in-law, Jane Hanneman of Glandorf.

Mary was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Balbaugh; an infant grandson, Justin Balbaugh; nine siblings: Sylvester (Edna) Hanneman, Ignatius Hanneman, Francis (Mary Ann) Hanneman, Joe (Rita) Hanneman, Rita (John) Gerten, Agnes (Walter) Hoehn, Tom (Margie) Hanneman, Norie (William) Schnipke and Bob Hanneman; three brothers-in-law: James (Leona) Machunas, Tom "Butch" (Velma) Balbaugh and Norm (Jo Ann) Balbaugh; and sister-in-law, Mary Ida (Louis) Schroeder.

Along with her husband, Mary was owner/operator of Neil's Repair and a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Miller City, where she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and Catholic Ladies of Columbia. She was a cancer survivor known for her resilience, patience, and strength. Mary enjoyed gardening, needlework, and caring for a succession of dogs named Lady and a contingent of outdoor cats. She spent decades of weekends with family and friends on the banks of the Maumee River, where she was a builder of epic campfires. As she preferred warm weather, Mary flew south when the birds did to spend many of her winters in Florida. She sprinkled red hots on everything and was a talented card shark. Among the many ways Mary showed love for her family were keeping a watchful eye on the feet of great-grandbabies to ensure they were properly warm in socks and assuring grandchildren that ice cream counted as their dairy for the day.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff of the Meadows of Leipsic and Putnam County HomeCare and Hospice for their constant care and attention over the last years of Mary's life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 28, 2022 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Miller City, with Fr. Scott Perry officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 - 8 p.m. on Thursday and again on Friday one hour prior to the mass at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

Charity of the donor's choice