Husband of Pat Tate ’76 (and brother-in-law of Nancy Bagrowski ’77) passed away:

James “Jim” Patrick Bremer, 64, of Toledo, Ohio passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, June 24, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Toledo, Ohio to his late parents, Edward and Jeanne (Chambers) Bremer.

Jim attended St. John’s Jesuit High School followed by the University of Toledo where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a proud business owner of Bremer Vending. In 1983, he married his dear wife, Pat. He was the Vice President of the Ohio Coin Machine Association (OCMA). He was a faithful Catholic and made everything fun.

Jim adored his family and was extremely proud of his marriage. His family will remember him as funny, generous, and hardworking. He will positively impact his family indefinitely.

Jim is survived by his dear wife, Patricia Bremer; daughters, Sarah (Michael) Jerge, Andrea Bremer; brother, John (Nancy) Bremer; cousin, Jeanne Reitz; brother in laws, Michael (Mary) Tate, Robert (Lori) Tate; and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH, with another visitation on Friday, July 1, 2022 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. Condolences can be sent at walkerfuneralhomes.com, or a donation may be made out to St. John’s Jesuit High School or the Henry Ford Hermelin Brain Tumor Center in Jim’s honor.

Published by The Blade on Jun. 30, 2022.

Sister Maura Barga passed away

I received word from Sister Joanne Bellner that Sister Maura Barga, who taught at McAuley in the 70’s passedaway…

Sister of the Sisters of Mercy for 75 years. Daughter of the late Clarence Barga and Irene Groff Barga. Passed away on June 17, 2022 at age 97. Preceded in death by sisters Ruth Broerman, Marlene McClurg and Doris Rindler and brothers David Barga and Marion Barga. Survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand- nephews. Sister Maura was born in North Star, Ohio. After her graduation from high school she attended the Dayton Art Institute until she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1946. Later she earned her MA from the University of Notre Dame. She taught art in several Catholic High Schools in Ohio and did pastoral care in hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky. Before she retired in 2011 she taught art to senior citizens in Hamilton. Sister Maura was an accomplished artist. She did illustrations for many books and her drawings and paintings are widely displayed. Sister Maura will have a natural burial at St. Joseph Cemetery(new) on June 20 at 11:00. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at McAuley Convent, 1768 Cedar Ave. Cincinnati, 45224. Memorials may be directed to Sisters of Mercy, McAuley Convent. See address above. Condolences at hodappfuneralhome.com

Posted online on June 17, 2022

Published in KY Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer

Father of Kim Fournier ’80 and Anne Fournier ’81 passed away.

Kenneth “Buzz” Fournier was born on February 25th, 1940 and earned his well-deserved angel wings on April 20th, 2022. He entered Heaven from the Maumee home he lived in with his adoring wife, Pattie, and people who loved him.

He wore many hats in his full and abundant life. No matter which hat he was wearing when he met you, all those who encountered him were lucky to have known him. Buzz was a husband. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Pattie. He was a father. He is survived by 10 beautiful children, Kim (David) Barger, Anne (Terry) Kranz, Todd (Beth) Fournier, John (Kathy Hansen) Fournier, Lynn (Robert) Garcia, Sue (Robert) Piotrowski, Jill (Tony) Farrugia, P.J. (Heather) Fournier, Kate (Chris) Meabon, and Nick (Jen) Fournier. He was a brother. He is survived by his sisters, Janis (Dale) Junga-Conway, Connie (Dick) Tuley, Donna (Tony) Gladwell, Beth (Jeff) Widmer; his brother, Richard “Rock” (Margo) Fournier, and his brother-in-law William Koch. He was a grandfather. He is survived by 31 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Buzz was heartfelt in all the work that he did. He followed his heart and the will of God in a variety of passions and professions. He was a teacher, coach, salesman, real estate agent, minister, and mentor. Buzz’s desire to be a cowboy eventually led him to Arizona, where he spent 25 years. “Farmer Buzz” was the owner of the F/X Ranch and Bed and Breakfast. He also spent time spreading joy on tractor rides at Young’s Farm, now called “Mortimer’s Farm.” Buzz is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Genevieve; and his older sister, Carol Koch. Buzz was an avid supporter of several causes. Memorial donations in Buzz’s honor can be made to the following organizations: Central Catholic High School centralcatholic.org St. Jude stjude.org Tunnels to Towers t2t.org/donate/ Please also consider donations of blood in his name to the American Red Cross. Celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 30th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Visitation beginning at 10 a.m. will be followed by Mass at 11 a.m. Arrangements were handled by American Cremation Events.

Published by The Blade on Apr. 24, 2022.

Trisha Brook ’87 passed away

Tricia Lynn Brooks

Tricia Lynn Brooks passed away suddenly Monday, April 18th at home. She was 52. Tricia entered this world July 21st, 1969, in Toledo, and was the eldest daughter of Larry and Dorothy (Tofte) Brooks . She graduated from both the former McAuley High School and the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.

After graduation from UT, Tricia spent the better part of a decade living in the Phoenix area, where she developed a love for both working with the elderly in several long-term care facilities and for having fun spending time with a group of friends and co-workers. When she returned to the Toledo area, she continued performing her social services roll with the elderly at several facilities which included the Genoa Care Center, the Lutheran Home at Toledo, and Ridgewood Manor in Maumee.

A part time college job resulted in a connection Tricia wouldn’t act upon until her return to Ohio. She took a chance with a random phone call to Jeff Lynch, and that single act created a bond that lasted for 17 years. Engagement eventually ensued; circumstances and current events conspired to postpone an eventual wedding that was never ultimately realized. While there was light-hearted needling about it “ever happening”, both parties had given in to the fact that they had become inseparable quite awhile ago. In 2013 Tricia became the office manager at John Lynch Opticians, which, inevitably, cemented their relationship status even further. She and Jeff enjoyed travel throughout the country, on trips that had both specific itineraries and those with no plan whatsoever. “She was so funny about travel” Jeff relates. “She always would be unsure about going someplace she’d never been; invariably, after almost every trip, she couldn’t wait to go back!” Tricia experienced fun, happy times with family and friends, and hanging with Jeff and their canine family.

Tricia loved animals of all types, but especially her beloved dogs Indy and Daisy, a couple of Jack Russell Terriers (terrorists according to Jeff). She would routinely corral errant bugs and deposit them outdoors, preferring that to any other fate they may have been subjected to. She had a huge heart, for critters large and small, human ones most of all.

Tricia is survived by her fiancee, Jeffery Lynch; her parents, Dorothy and Larry Brooks; her sister and brother-in-law Tami and Jason Owens; and her aunt and uncle, Marilyn and Peter Mattoni. She is also survived by her nephews, Zachary and Grant Perry who she absolutely adored with her whole heart. Even though Zach coined the term, even Jeff’s nieces Haley and Ava affectionately referred to her as “Shisha”, a moniker she happily embraced.

Funeral arrangements were private. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Glass City Dog Park, c/o Toledo Unleashed, 3407 Pineway Dr, Toledo, OH 43614. American Cremation Events assisted the family with arrangements.

Published by The Blade on Apr. 28, 2022.

Sydney Rogers ’75 passed away

Per her sister Diane Sydney passed way and the obit will be posted in the Sunday Blade on 5/15/2022. I will update with that obit.

Father of Suzanne Kleparek ’71 passed away;

John Kleparek, Jr., age 95, of Maumee passed away on April 19, 2022. He was born in Toledo on August 3, 1926, to John and Frances (Nowak) Kleparek, Sr. He graduated from Woodward High School in 1943 and enlisted in the US Navy immediately upon graduation, serving as a Seabee in WW II in the Pacific theater until 1946. He played the violin and music was always an important part of his life. Upon his return from the Navy, he worked in a variety of sales positions including piano sales at Grinnell Bros. and Bleckner Music before co-owning and operating Kay-Howard Pianos & Organs. He also worked at Tiedtke’s Dept. Store selling major appliances and sold furniture at J. L. Hudson’s and The Lion Store before his retirement in 1988.

He married Mary Eileen Kleparek on June 25, 1949. She passed away October 16, 1992, after 43 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen Taber; and daughter-in-law, Robin Kleparek.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, John Michael (Patricia) Kleparek of Woodstock, GA, Suzanne (Gary) Kelley of Temperance, MI, Mark (Monica) Kleparek of Fort Wayne, IN, and Kevin Kleparek of Maumee; sister, Dorothy Kujawa; 10 grandchildren, Candace (Brad) Montgomery, Natalie (Dave) Clark, Mary (Brian) Yoder, Ann (Eric) Simon, Sarah (Rob) Folger, Dan (Liz) Kelley, Bradley (Kara) Kleparek, Alaina (Spencer) Montgomery, Justin Kleparek and Nathin Kleparek; and 21 great-grandchildren, Rhys, Michelle, Kate, John, Nora, Mark, Lindsay, Ryleigh, Sami, Ben, Frankie, Meredith, Eve, Marie, Celeste, Mia, Layla, Maren, Flynn, Henry and Lillian.

Friends will be received at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, Maumee on Monday, April 25, 2022 from 2-8 p.m. where funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 26 at 11 a.m. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of ProMedica Hospice for their care, especially RNs, Patti, Lisa S., Lisa B.; CNP, Molly; Aides, Drucilla and Kalisha; Social Worker, Ashley; and Chaplain Dale Katcher. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com

Published by The Blade on Apr. 24, 2022.

Brother of Joanne ’65 and Mary and Martha Boellner ’67 passed away.

John Paul Boellner  (71) passed away on March 28, 2022 in his Maumee home after a long struggle with COPD and leukemia. He was born February 14, 1951 to Anthony Boellner, Sr. and Helen (Promenschenkel) Boellner. Most of his friends knew John as JB.

A 1969 graduate of St. John Jesuit High School, John spent his career as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Maumee. A proud member of the Letter Carriers Branch 100, John held the positions of steward, trustee, and treasurer, and chairman of the Political Action Committee. He organized the first Letter Carrier Food Drive in 1994. He served many years as a delegate to the Greater Northwest Ohio AFL-CIO, held positions on executive board (25 years), was a trustee and political director.

John was a delegate to the Toledo Port Council, former president of Toledo Area Union Label and Service Trades Council, and former member and executive board member to the local chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

John was a charter member of the Labor Blood Drive Committee and of the Workers Memorial Day Committee. He served 25 years as a member of the Labor Day Committee (15 years as chairman). He was honored to serve as the Labor Day Parade Grand Marshall in 2016.

For more than 30 years, he had been a blood donor (10- gallon donor) and a volunteer for more than 25 years for the Toledo Chapter of American Red Cross and was inducted into the Walbridge Society. He also served on the boards of the Toledo Lucas County Library and the Toledo Area United Way.

An active Democrat, John worked on many campaigns and finally threw his hat in the ring and was elected to two terms on Maumee City Council (2012-2019).

John is survived by son, Paul (Kira Wetzel) Boellner of San Jose, CA, daughter, Amy Boellner of Bowling Green OH; former wife, Sandy Smith of Toledo, stepsons Brian Smith of Toledo and Trent (Nia) Smith and 3 grandchildren all of McComb, MI; brother, Anthony Jr. of Covington, KY, sisters, Sister Joanne Mary Boellner, RSM of Maumee, Mary Boellner of Maumee, and Martha Kleinfelter of Milford, OH.

John was a lifetime fan of University of Alabama football and Paul Bear Bryant. Roll Tide!

Visitation will be Tuesday April 12, 2022 from 2:00 -7:00 pm at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home (501 Conant St. Maumee OH 43537) with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will resume on Wednesday April 13, 2022 from 10:00-11:00 am at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church. The Funeral Mass will immediately follow.

Memorial Contributions may be made to American Red Cross (1111 Research., Toledo OH 43614); United Way of Greater Toledo (1001 Madison Ave. Suite 100, Toledo OH 43604) or Toledo Lucas County Library (325 North Michigan Ave. Toledo OH 43604).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John, please visit our floral store.

Mary Pat Kleinhans ’63 passed away (sister to Christine Kleinhans ’76)

Mary Patricia “Pat” Kleinhans, of Salisbury, Maryland, died on October 22, 2020 at the age of 75. She had been a resident of the Salisbury Rehabilitation and Nursing Center since June 2020. Pat was preceded in death by her loving parents, biological father Donald Durivage (deceased in war), mother Helen (nee Hurley), and her adoptive father, Joseph Kleinhans.
She lived a happy childhood in Toledo, Ohio, graduated from Marymount College in Florida, traveled throughout Europe after graduation, and eventually settled in Laurel, Maryland. She was proud of her employment as a park ranger in Washington D.C. As a history buff, she greatly enjoyed giving tours of the monuments. She had a keen interest in the space program, collected official memorabilia and photographs, and had a ready narrative to share with interested friends and family. As an avid animal lover, Pat participated in cat rescue and the feeding of community cats. She was a homebody who loved old movies, nature shows, receiving letters and pictures from family, good food, and the company of good friends.

She is survived by Edie Ferreira, her best friend and longtime roommate, Star, her devoted feline companion, her sister Christine of Toledo, Ohio, niece Melissa, and grandniece Scarlett, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and her devoted friends who reside in Maryland and Delaware.

Donations in Pat’s memory may be made to Laurel Cats, in Laurel MD.

Mother of Karen Szymanski ’70

Alice D. Szymanski

Alice D. Szymanski, 98, wife, mother, role model, and friend, passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the home of her daughter.

Alice married her sweetheart, Daniel, in 1946. They had 57 beautiful years together. She worked at Libbey Glass and S.H. Davis Paper Box Co. Alice was also a 50+ year member of American Legion Przybylski Post 642 Auxiliary.

Alice enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She loved to crochet, playing the slot machines and share a good hot fudge sundae!

Alice believed in never missing a chance to share life with family and friends. She always said cleaning will still be there tomorrow, but no guarantee that family and friends will be.

Alice was preceded in death by her loving husband, Daniel; her parents, Fabian and Virginia Paszko; brothers, Kenneth, David, Thomas, and Robert; sister, Dorothy; sisters-in-law, Sharon and Helen Paszko and Virginia Szymanski; brothers-in-law, Leonard and Norman Szymanski and Walter Bollinger; and her 4-legged buddy, Dodger. She will be dearly missed by her son, Ronald; daughter, Karen; brother, Daniel; sisters-in-law, Darlene and Sandy Paszko; special “daughters” Vicki (Dick) Creekmore and Becky (Lyman) Goff; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church at 11:00 a.m. where family and friends may visit after 10:30 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School Fund or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the in-home staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially her aide, Tammy.

Please send condolences to www.sujkowskiairport.com.

Published by The Blade from Jan. 13 to Jan. 16, 2022.

Patricia Williams ’67 passed away (sister to Mary Alice ’62 and Kathleen ’70 – who preceded her in death)

Patricia “Patsy” Williams

Patricia Ann “Patsy” Williams, died Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Genacross Wolf Creek Campus. Patsy was born in Cleveland, OH, on November 19, 1948, to Bernard and Mary Rita Williams. She graduated from the former McAuley High School. After graduation, she entered the Sisters of Mercy. Her undergraduate work was completed at the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in education and the focus on special education. Then she taught special education in Louisville, KY – during this time she developed a love of all things about the Kentucky Derby. She left the Sisters of Mercy before making her final vows. She returned to Toledo and became the primary caregiver for her mother, as well as teaching at Cherry Preschool as the special education teacher for children with severe vision disabilities. She also was attending the University of Toledo working on her master’s degree in supervision. She later became a supervisor of special education for the Toledo Public Schools until her disability retirement due to her two autoimmune diseases: Bechets and Sjogren’s. Patsy enjoyed traveling with her mother when their health would allow them. The once in a lifetime trip to Ireland with her mother, brother, Marty, and sister-in-law, Mary Helen, was her all-time favorite trip.

Patsy is survived by her sister, Mary Alice Hoffman; sisters-in-law, Mary Helen Williams, Julie Williams; brother-in-law, Joe Wernert; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Marty and Jack; sister, Katie Wernert; and brother-in-law, Jim Hoffman.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you for Genacross Wolf Creek and Hospice for trying to make her as comfortable as possible and an extra big thank you for her nieces, Brigid Archibeque and Colleen Hoffman. Brigid for her many phone calls and visits to make sure she was o.k. and Colleen Hoffman for being her primary caregiver for years and visiting with her daily so she would see a loving face.

Friends are welcome to visit on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, OH 43614, until the time of Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Sunshine Children’s Home, sunshine.org/donate-2. Online condolences to the family may be made at:

walkerfuneralhomes.com

Published by The Blade on Feb. 6, 2022.