March 4, 1933-Aug. 23, 2013
Mary L. Gerdeman, 80, of Fort Jennings, died at 10:57 p.m. Friday at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.
She was born March 4, 1933, in Kalida to Henry and Laura (Brinkman) Grote, who preceded her in death.
On Oct. 27, 1954, she married Virgil B. Gerdeman, who survives in Fort Jennings.
Other survivors include four children, Michael (Sandy) Gerdeman and Charles (Penny) Gerdeman of Fort Jennings, Jane (Gregg) Giessler of Kalida and Susan (Ted) Verhoff of Fort Jennings; 10 grandchildren, Shannon (Craig) Everman, Michele (Russell) Mead, Scott (Allyson) Gerdeman, Ryan Gerdeman, Amanda (Kyle) Schimmoeller, Ross Gerdeman, Lauren Verhoff, Nick Verhoff, John Gerdeman and Christina Gerdeman; six great-grandchildren, Daniel Everman, Luke Everman, Adelyn Everman, Lena Mead, Caleb Everman and Christian Mead and expecting one more this month; three sisters, Mildred Sarka of Kalida, Hilda (George) Ralich of Salem and Sr. Julie Grote of Tiffin; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Grote of Kalida and Marie Grote of Kalida.
She was also preceded in death by six brothers, Richard Grote, Norbert Grote, Victor Grote, Edwin Grote, Raymond Grote and Robert Grote.
Mary was a homemaker who devoted her entire life to her faith and family as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and her friends. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings, and its Catholic Ladies of Columbia.
A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fort Jennings, the Rev. Charles Obinwa officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Jackson Township, where a CL of C rosary will begin at 7:30 p.m; and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.
Memorial donations may be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church for the Church Sign Project.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.lovefuneralhome.com