Mary C. (Hartman) Brickner

Mary Catherine Brickner, 94, of rural Fostoria, Ohio, passed peacefully at Good Shepherd Home, Fostoria, at 11:05 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018, and will proceed to a joyous gathering before the Lord. She was born July 31, 1923, to Francis and Marie (Lauer) Hartman in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

She was a graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona then went to secretarial school and graduated from Altoona Business School.
Mary often traveled to the Tiffin, Ohio area to visit Francis's sisters Aunt Marguerite, (Mrs. Charles Brickner) and Aunt Elizabeth, (Mrs. William J. Brickner).  She met a farmer, Norbert J. Brickner, (son of William M. and Adeline) and after the war, they planned a beautiful ceremony and were married on August 31, 1946, in Altoona which was followed by a grand reception in Meadowbrook Park Ballroom a week later in Bascom.  After their 60 productive years of marriage, Norbert passed on Dec 1, 2006.

Mary Catherine is survived by a son, David J. (Pamela) Brickner of Fostoria; four daughters, Marsha A. (fiancé, Joe Alvarado) Brickner of  Northwood, Lynette M. Schreiner of Findlay, Cheryl (Dennis) Kenna of Henderson, Nevada,  Marlene Brickner of Fostoria; two sisters, Lois Ann Clawson and Gladys C. Yon of Altoona; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son, Gregory F. Brickner, a grandson, William M. Schreiner, and two brothers, Lawrence and Donald Hartman.

Mary was a secretary during the late war years at an aircraft plant in Harrisburg, Pa., but spent most of her life as a dedicated homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother to her six children and many grand and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Sts. Patrick and Andrew Parish, where she participated in the Rosary Altar Society, as a greeter, arranged funeral dinners, and church housekeeping. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the Fostoria Women’s Club.

After moving here from Pa., Mary was a lifelong member of the Tiffin/Bascom, Fostoria community and enjoyed many church activities, playing cards, volunteer work, traveling, dancing, family gatherings, and numerous social events in the community. Mary and her husband, Norbert took many trips throughout the United States. She took great pride in making a nice home for her family and enjoyed cooking and her flower gardens. She will be remembered most for her life of being there for others, as a strong woman, wife, and Mother. Mary will be missed by her family and friends and leaves a legacy of a quick wit, the love of her children, and special moments together that have engendered many lasting memories.

Friends and family may visit from  2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. A Christian wake service will be at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Prayers will be said at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at the funeral home followed by the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sts. Patrick and Andrew Catholic Church, 3761 OH-635, Liberty Township, Fostoria, OH 44830.
Rev. Timothy Kummerer will officiate. The rosary will be recited 20 minutes prior to the Mass at the church.  Burial will follow at St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Sts. Patrick and Andrew Parish, the American Cancer Society, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

For directions, out of town flower orders, to send online condolences to the family or to view the Celebration of Life video go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com