Mary Ellen Simon

WILLOWDELL - Mary Ellen Simon, of Willowdell, passed away on May 24, 2013. She was born on Oct. 3, 1926, and was the beloved daughter of Ernest (Ray) and Stella Mae (Pittsenbarger) Hahn and the adored big sister to Robert Hahn. Prior to her marriage, Mary Ellen worked at the Buckeye and also at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. In 1948 Mary Ellen married Robert Edward Simon, who preceded her in death on July 16, 1992. As newlyweds they moved to Willowdell after Bob's parents died, to raise his two younger siblings. Mary Ellen always believed that family came first and she worked tirelessly to keep family traditions alive for the young Simon siblings after their parents passed. She never quit this calling, gathering as many of her children and grandchildren together for every holiday as possible. Mary Ellen was addicted to handiwork, completing numerous quilts for her children and making certain that every grandchild, great grandchild and many great nieces and nephews all had a special quilt. She also greatly enjoyed vegetable gardening, canning and freezing many meals for the winter to come. Family favorites were hot cocoa, the best applesauce ever made and her chocolate dessert which she made for every family gathering for the past 30 years.
She was a lifelong member of the Osgood American Legion Auxiliary where she made countless pies for meals and social occasions. She joined St. Denis Catholic Church upon her marriage and was a devout member ever since. Mary Ellen felt it was her privilege to visit friends, former neighbors and family members in hospitals and nursing homes as she believed everyone deserved company and a friendly face to help pass the time. Mary Ellen is survived by her brother Robert (Nina) Hahn of Lewisburg, her children Rebecca (Jim) Bruening of Penrose, NC, Leo (Becky) Simon of Fort Loramie, Peggy (Tim) Rhodus of Dublin, Raymond Simon of Willowdell, Ben (Patty) Simon of Versailles, Barbara (Stephen) Revard of Plain City, and Jim (Pam) Simon of Troy, grandchildren Jacob (Buffy) Bruening, Jeffrey ( Jennine) Bruening, Jason ( Valerie) Simon, Jeremy Simon, Samantha Simon, Adam Simon, Kevin Rhodus, Brian Rhodus, Ethan Rhodus, Nicholas Simon, Tony Simon, and Mitchell Simon, four step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in law, Shirley Simon and JeanneSimon, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Stella Hahn, her husband of 44 years, Robert Edward Simon, and a son in law, Jerry Mescher; brothers in law, Dick Simon and John Simon. Although she will be sorely missed by her family, her greatest gift was in making each of her children believe they were her favorite.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, with the Rev. Fr. David Vincent celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Valbert Cemetery, Versailles. Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio.
It is the wishes of the family that memorial contributions be given to the donor's choice. Condolences for the family may sent to www.zecharbailey.com.