Sister M. Josita Erford, age 98, of the Sisters of St. Francis, died at 8:30 A.M., Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at St. Francis Home.
Sister Josita, formerly Marcella Josephine Erford, was born July 28, 1911 in Hamler, Ohio to the late Peter Alvin and Effie Eleanore (Banhaus) Erford.
Survivors include one sister, Rita (Richard) Vonder Embse of Ottawa, Ohio; two brothers, Raymond Erford of Leipsic, Ohio and Gilford Erford of North Baltimore, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Sarah Erford; and three brothers, Robert, Charles, and Cletus Erford.
Sister Josita served as a housekeeper in Willard, Custar, St. Sebastian, and Payne; as housemother at St. Anthony Villa, Toledo; in the kitchen and laundry at Linton Hospital, Linton, North Dakota; as executive housekeeper at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky and St. Francis Convent; as administrator of St. Anthony Pilgrim House, Carey; and as assistant treasurer of the congregation. Sister Josita served the community as a Minister of Prayer from 1994 until the time of her death.
Among other things, Sister Josita enjoyed needlework and reading. About the needlework she claims she always needed a pattern; and about the reading she says she never finishes all that she wants to read. Sister Josita will be remembered for her perseverance, faithfulness, gratitude, and youthfulness.
Visitation will be 11 am to 1 pm Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 182 St. Francis Ave., and from 2 to 7 pm Wednesday at St. Francis Convent Chapel, 200 St. Francis Ave. A Christian Wake Service will be 4 pm Wednesday in the convent chapel.
The funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. Francis Convent Chapel, with Rev. Tom Oedy, cousin to Sister Josita, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Convent Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Convent or to St. Francis Home in care of Traunero Funeral Home, 214 South Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio, 44883, 419-447-3113.