Mary E. Gonya, age 86, formerly of Rawson Ave., Fremont, Ohio, died at 12:18 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at St. Francis Home, Tiffin.
She was born July 11, 1923, in St. Henry, Ohio, to the late Louis and Elizabeth (Kramer) Uhlenhake. In 1977, she married Irvin Gonya, who died in 1992.
Surviving are four step sons, Eugene Gonya of San Diego, Calif., David Gonya of Columbus, Ohio, Gary Gonya of New York City, and Daniel Gonya of Tiffin; a step daughter, Mary Gabourel of Belize, Central America; 7 step grandchildren; a brother, Carl Uhlenhake of St. Henry, and a sister, Bernadette Hasenkamp of Delphos, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.
Mary was a religious sister at the New Riegel Convent for 30 years, later Mrs. Gonya was a homemaker and did domestic work. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fremont, where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years, and was a past president of the Marian Society. She and her husband started and organized the first October Fest in Fremont.
Funeral Mass will be11:30 am Friday, September 11, 2009, at St. Francis Home Chapel, Tiffin, with Rev. Frank Murd officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Fremont. Friends may call from 10:30 – 11:30 am on Friday at the St. Francis Home Chapel.
Memorials may be made to St. Francis Senior Ministries in care of St. Francis Home, 182 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin, Ohio 44883.