Sigrid Emerling

DEFIANCE - Sigrid Rose Emerling, 81, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025.

She was born on September 2, 1943, to Charles and Josephine (Oilfisch) Rose in Aachen, Germany. Sigrid moved to the United States in 1948, first to Illinois then to Defiance in 1954 and lived there ever since. She was a graduate of Defiance High School Class of 1961. On May 30, 1975, she married Roger Emerling. She retired in 2008 from Defiance Public Library, where she was a Librarian.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church since moving to Defiance. Sigrid sang in the church choir and volunteered, including the annual Coats for Christmas. She was a member of Mothers of Twins Club, Audubon Society, AmVets #1991, and the VFW #3360. Sigrid was a huge fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and a big supporter of DHS Athletics: football, basketball, and baseball. Everyone who knew her loved her. She had a wonderful smile and a welcoming heart. She loved to travel; she loved Europe, especially Germany. Sigrid was very involved in all four of her children's lives growing up, chaperoned and volunteered when needed, always attended all of their activities and sporting events, knew all of their friends and they all loved her like a mom. She loved wildlife was an avid bird watcher, went on annual bird watching walks including the Christmas Bird Count and fed the deer regularly. Sigrid was still friends with her high school best friends, which they got together regularly.

Sigrid is survived by her loving spouse of 50 years, Roger, daughters; Ericka (Kevin) Hellthaler of North Hanover, New Jersey, Stacey (Steve) Havel of Fort Worth, Texas, and Kelly Emerling of Bluffton; daughter- in- law, Pam Manning; South Carolina, grandchildren; Emily (Thaddeus) Richards, Vincent Hellthaler, Jacob Hellthaler, Luke O'Keefe, Ben O'Keefe, Emma O'Keefe, Jack O'Keefe, Matt O'Keefe, CJ Ciccarelli, Kaitlyn Ciccarelli, Nicholas Manning, and Darian Manning; and her sister, Lorette Hartzog of Bradenton, Florida.

In addition to her parents, Charles and Josephine Rose, Sigrid was preceded in death by her son, Collin Manning, and In-laws, Oliver and Elsie Emerling.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Defiance, with Pastor Ann Wasson officiating. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Defiance First Presbyterian Church or Defiance Athletic Boosters. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.