Mary Catharine ZERKEL

Mary Catherine Lutz lived a glorious and abundant life for 79 years until she met her heavenly Father on March 12, 2012. She was born to Waldo and Helen Zerkel on August 5, 1932 in Champaign County, Ohio and she was the apple of her older brother, Leonard's, eye (who was 15 years older). She grew up on a farm, where her father was the superintendent of Concord Township schools. She loved to tell stories of how the family doctor would make house calls (including removing her tonsils) and how she would help with milking cows by hand. She met the love of her life, Herbert, when she was still a student and he was a teacher at the same school (scandalous by today's standards!). She graduated from Concord Township High School as its valedictorian, while remaining active in her church and 4-H activities. She was named 4-H Girl of the Year for Champaign County while in high school and was very skilled in sewing and cooking. She was especially known for her knitting talents, creating masterpieces for her daughters and grandsons to wear. Although she was proficient in domestic skills, she excelled in musical talent. She was a very talented pianist and was admitted to Capital University's Conservatory of Music and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 1955. She instilled her love of music in her three daughters, who are all pianists, so her faith-filled musical legacy lives on. Following graduation from Capital, she married Herb on July 31, 1955. She started teaching in Urbana Public Schools, one of the few of her generation in the rural sector to pursue a career (even teaching while she was pregnant - an outrage in the 1950's). The couple moved to Tremont City in 1959, with two small daughters and when Herb began teaching in Northwestern schools. Herb and Mary enjoyed 56 happy years of marriage, sharing in a number of experiences and milestones. They raised three daughters, provided the Tremont City United Methodist Church with incredible music (he on the organ, she on the piano) for over 35 years, and taught together for decades at Northwestern High School. During retirement, they enjoyed bicycle riding, visiting children and grandchildren, advocating clean water in the face of the landfill near Tremont City (CF Water), and of course, continued sharing their musical talents with the church. Mary is preceded in death by her father (Waldo), mother (Helen), brother (Leonard) and son-in-law (David). Her loving husband, Herb, is left to cherish her memory. Also left to remember and love her are three daughters: Kathy Newman-Gall (Columbus, OH); Karen Gervase(Lebanon, CT); and Stephanie Lutz (Findlay, OH). She is also survived by six grandsons: Phillip Newman, Christopher Gall, Cameron Gall, Charles Gervase, Anthony Gervase, Stephen Gervase; and three cousins: Ruth (Chuck) Shawver; Neil (Ruth) Snarr; and Jean Laviere. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 24,2012 in LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME, where a Celebration of Life Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Bible Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America or the American Cancer Society.

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