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.

Brother of Nancy ’65 and Barbara Nichter ’70 passed away

Thomas Edward Nichter

November 20, 1950 – January 16, 2022

Thomas Edward Nichter, 71, of Perrysburg, passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2022. He was born on November 20, 1950, to Frank and Kathleen (Kellermeier) Nichter.

Tom attended Bowsher High School and then continued his education at The University of Toledo, earning a bachelor’s degree in finance. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity during his time there. Thomas was the Chief Deputy Auditor for Lucas County for 30 years. During retirement, he worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

He enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids playing sports. In his younger years he enjoyed playing baseball, softball, racketball, bowling, and billiards, even today. He loved Las Vegas trips and never missed a card game; and teaching his grandchildren sports and history facts.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Diane Nichter; children, Lori (Joshua) Powe and Mike Nichter; 4 grandchildren who affectionately called him “Bop Bop”, Adam Nichter, Connor Powe, Bryce Nichter and Ashlyn Powe; siblings, Nancy (Jon) Patterson, twin brother, Timothy Nichter, Barb Nichter; and canine companion, Riley. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Friends and family will be received on Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 3 – 8 p.m. with a scripture at 7 p.m. at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant, Maumee. Masks are encouraged. Services will be Monday, January 24, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, Perrysburg. Internment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Wearing of masks is encouraged. Memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Online condolences can be left at walkerfuneralhomes.com.

Published by The Blade on Jan. 20, 2022.

Father of Cynthia ’77, Lisa ’79 and Jennifer ’86 passed away:

By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

Dr. Thomas P. Straub, who in a 32-year medical career delivered babies and cared for their mothers, died Monday in Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center. He was 85.

He had a heart attack, his wife, Betty Straub, said.

Dr. Straub in his last year at Marquette University medical school completed his last clinical rotation – in obstetrics.

“He came home and said, ‘I’m going to be an obstetrician,'” his wife said. “He said, ‘I will be very lucky. I will help deliver a miracle.'”

The Toledo native was drafted and after he graduated from Marquette served as an Air Force captain in Smyrna, Tenn. He completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency in Toledo, at St. Vincent, Toledo Hospital, and the former Maumee Valley Hospital, his wife said.

He didn’t keep a tally, his wife said, but “he delivered a lot of babies, and even delivered the second generation.”

Those arrivals occurred at every hour, in any weather.

“He would zoom down the Anthony Wayne Trail and go deliver those babies. He got stopped by police a few times,” his wife said. At least once, officers sent him on his way and followed as an escort to the hospital.

“He tried to be home every night and have dinner with his family if possible,” his wife said. “He was a big family man.”

Karen Merrels met Mrs. Straub more than 50 years ago through the Toledo Woman’s Club.

“If you knew Betty, you knew Tom. If you knew Tom, you knew Betty,” Mrs. Merrels said. Her late husband, Andy, hit it off with Dr. Straub, and the couple remained close after her husband’s death.

“He was one of the kindest men I have ever known. He had a calming way about him,” Mrs. Merrels said.

He was born Feb. 12, 1936, to Egwin and Josephine Straub and grew up on River Road in South Toledo. He and his wife met at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in first grade. He was a 1954 graduate of Central Catholic High School, attended the University of Dayton, and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo.

“He always wanted to be a doctor from the time I can remember. That was his dream,” his wife said.

Most recently of Springfield Township, Dr. Straub lived for years on Deepwood Lane in South Toledo. He golfed at Toledo Country Club. The couple were longtime season ticket holders to UT basketball and football. He’d been a supporter of and volunteer for Heartbeat of Toledo.

Surviving are his wife, the former Betty Beckler, whom he married Dec. 27, 1958; daughters Cindy Martin, Lisa Kelly, and Jen Boynton; son, Tom Straub; 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Coyle Funeral Home, with a scripture at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

The family suggests tributes to the Christ Child Society of Toledo or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.Published by The Blade on Jan. 21, 2022.

Angela Menden ’77 passed away (sister of Deborah ’78)

Angela M. Menden, age 62, of Metamora, passed away peacefully in her home, Sunday, January 30, 2022 with her family by her side.  Angela was born in Toledo on September 4, 1959 to the late George, Jr. and Patricia (Meiring) Menden.  Angela worked in the nursing field for over 30 years.  She loved her job, the residents, and most of her co-workers.  In her spare time she enjoyed crafting, baking, traveling, and attending concerts, but most importantly, she loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Angela was also a member of the Red Hat Society.  Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Nicole Menden (Scott) and Ashley (Cody) Armstrong; grandchildren, Jacob, Raven, and Kennedy; sister, Debbie (Mark) Malak; step-sisters, Bonnie (Don) Ditch; Karen (Wayne) Rogers and sister-in-law, MaryAnn Bernath.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-sister, Patty Brown; step-brother, Mike Bernath, and special friends, Gary Allen and Albert Kennedy.  Friends and family will be received at Barnes Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 5825 St. Hwy. 109 in Delta, from 2:00 to 8:00 PM Monday, February 7, 2022 with the Rosary being recited at 7:30 PM.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM. with Pastor Maryann Reimund officiating.  Burial will follow at Amboy Township Cemetery, Metamora.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Fulton County Humane Society, 22450 Co. Rd. F, Archbold, Ohio 43502 in her memory. 

To send flowers to Angela’s family, please visit our floral store.

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Services

VISITATIONMonday
February 7, 2022
2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Barnes Funeral Chapel, St. Hwy 109
5825 St Hwy 109
Delta, Oh 43515DirectionsText DetailsEmail DetailsSend Flowers to Angela’s VisitationGuaranteed delivery before the Visitation begins

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FUNERAL SERVICETuesday
February 8, 2022
11:00 AM
Barnes Funeral Chapel, St. Hwy 109
5825 St Hwy 109
Delta, Oh 43515DirectionsText DetailsEmail DetailsSend Flowers to Angela’s Funeral ServiceGuaranteed delivery before the Funeral Service begins

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COMMITTALTuesday
February 8, 2022
12:00 PM
Amboy Cemetery