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BORN
1945
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Colleen LEVITAN Obituary
News Death Notice
LEVITAN, Colleen Marie Of Beavercreek OH, passed peacefully, surrounded by her family and loved ones, on April 28, 2016, at age 71, after an 18 month fight with Pancreatic Cancer. Born March 20, 1945 in Ft. Wayne IN to Mother Betty Deller (adoptive father Thomas Bruckse, and second husband Ray Simpkins) and Father Edward Leonidas Cassady, Colleen graduated from Wright State University in 1976 with a Degree in Art Education. She was a nationally recognized Watercolor Artist and Portrait Sculptor. She will be remembered most by her family for her special holiday gatherings, with food, fabulous desserts and pies, and beautiful décor. No one ever left Colleen's table hungry. She was a lover of the outdoors and her flower garden, but most important to her was her passion for time spent water skiing at Rocky Fork Lake. From May to October her schedule was organized to get maximum time on her slalom ski. Colleen is survived by her husband James Gruber, Mother Betty Deller, Children; Lynne Cherkaoui-Burley (George) and Michael Dunham (Lisa), Step-Children; James Gruber (April) and Sara Cooper (Sean), Siblings ; Alan Cassady and Dan Cassady, Karen Hale, Laura Bradley, Tommy Bruckse Jr. (deceased), and Matt Bruckse, grandchildren; Joy Robinson (Broadus), Andrew Pefley (Robin), Gail Gonzalez, Ryan Dunham, Cody Dunham, Eli Dunlavy, Austin Gruber, Aric Gruber, Allison Gruber , Jackie Crutcher and Damien Womble, and great grandchild Grayson Blythe. Friends may call from 6-8 PM on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at Tobias Funeral Home, 3970 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45432. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 411 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402 on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 10 AM, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Ave, Dayton, OH 45409. Condolences for the family can be made at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Colleen LEVITAN
Sponsored by Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel.
Carole O
May 5, 2016
Colleen was an inspiration in so many ways. Not only was she talented in her art endeavors, she loved to have fun and no one will ever make a better pie than she did. She was in love with her grandchildren and I often hoped to be as much fun with my own as she was with hers. Love to all her family and friends... she will be in our memories often.
Carol Ann Gratsch
May 3, 2016
May the sunlight of her spirit comfort all who loved her. May her legacy of wonderful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren sustain each other through this difficult time. My love to you all. I'm so sorry
Linda and Tim Cain
May 2, 2016
Jim I know Colleen was the love of your life, may she always be with you in spirit.
Love ya, Linda and Tim Cain
Hansel and Susan Alexander
May 2, 2016
Hansel and I remember when she was married to Mike Dunham. Hansel and Mike worked at Wester Electric in Dayton. We lived next door to them on Jordan Ave when we first got married in 1964. We were in a group that ran around together for quite a few years until Mike and Colleen divorced. We had a lot of fun times and will miss those times. She was a very lovely person and very talented. May she rest in peace in the Loving Arms of Our Saviour.
Becky Rowley
May 1, 2016
Sending Jim and family love from up on Mockingbird Lane. We loved our chats with you and Colleen in the road. We will miss Colleen's smile and cheery attitude. The Rowley Family
Karen Hale
May 1, 2016
Colleen was my very first hero, I adored her. She was 10 years old when I made my way into this world. According to all accounts, she showered me with love and attention. She played school with me as a young child and patiently taught me all her newly acquired dancing steps as well as introducing me to drawing and painting. I remember thinking that she was the most beautiful person I knew. I was jealous of any attention she gave to our other siblings and neighbor kids,and cried many nights when she left home to get married and start a family. I will miss my big sister Colleen.
Harrietta Sommer
May 1, 2016
There's a new Star in the sky.
Harrie Sommer, RN at Hospice of Dayton
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Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Dayton, OH 45432
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