Mary Lou (Distel) Brickner

Mary Lou Brickner, 94, of Tiffin, died at 3:10 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2017, at St. Francis Home.

She was born May 8, 1923, in Tiffin, to Charles J. and Bertha G. (Kuhn) Distel.  She married Emanuel J. Brickner April 7, 1951, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and he died April 16, 1960.

Survivors include two daughters, Emily J. Myers of Tiffin and Julie A. Wise of Baytown, Texas; two sons, Philip C. Brickner of Lorain and Michael J. (Tricia) Brickner of Goshen, Indiana; five grandchildren, Hilary Myers and Kevin Myers both of Tiffin, Trevor, Trent and Kelsey Brickner all of Goshen, Indiana; a brother, Donald J. (Ellen) Distel, of Marion, and a sister, Marjorie A. DeRan of Toledo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers, Charles and Thomas Distel.

Mary Lou was a 1941 Calvert High School graduate.  She retired from Tiffin City Schools as a cashier in the cafeteria at East Jr. High School, and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  In 1971 Mary Lou worked in the cafeterias at Krout Elementary and Columbian High Schools, was the Cafeteria Manager at East Jr. High School where she continued until her retirement in the late 1980’s.  She even took on a second job cleaning offices in the evening to help with her family needs.

Mrs. Brickner stressed the importance of education, especially a Catholic Education, and saw to it that all four of her children attended St. Joseph Elementary School, and graduated from Calvert High School.  All of her children went on to graduate from college with three becoming educators, and one going into the science field.

Mary Lou also believed in giving back, in some way to her Church and Community.  She served as Precinct Chair Person for the Democratic Party at Elections, was an active member of the Daughters of Isabella, St. Joseph Altar and Rosary Society, St. Francis Auxiliary: where she was membership Chair,  volunteered to drive various groups from St. Joseph Elementary, and Calvert High School to functions/activities, was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, volunteered for over 60 years at the St. Joseph Festival and volunteered for many Calvert High School functions, and the 52 Club Ticket sales.

She instilled in her children the qualities of hard work, perseverance, a belief in oneself that anything, whatever one wants out of life, can be achieved.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio  44883 (419) 447-3113, with a wake service at 3:30 p.m.

Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the funeral home, followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Rev. Joseph Szybka officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  The Rosary will be recited in church 20 minutes prior to Mass.

Memorials may be made to Mary L. Brickner Monetary Award at Calvert High School or to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

For directions, order flowers, offer condolences to the family or view the Celebration of Life video, go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com