Grace Alexander

Grace Marie Alexander, age 86, of Wainwright, died Friday afternoon, November 9, 2018 in her home following a brief illness.

Born in the family home at Wainwright on May 20, 1932, Grace was one of three children born to the late Alexander and Edith Pissocra Bonvechio.

She attended the former Wainwright School and was a 1950 graduate of St. Mary’s School at Dennison. While working as a hostess in the former Bonvechio’s Restaurant, Grace met the love of her life, John R. “Bob” Alexander. The couple married on September 2, 1957 and raised five children together. They shared in 53 years of marriage prior to his passing on October 22, 2010.

Grace was a woman of deep faith and lived out her faith in God daily. She was an active member of the former St. Therese Catholic Church at Wainwright where she was a member of the Altar Society. She later became a member of Immaculate Conception Church at Dennison. From a very young age, Grace used her talent as a vocalist and throughout her lifetime sang for hundreds of weddings and funerals.

She was a 60-plus year member of the Canasta Card Club and while the group no longer plays cards, they certainly enjoy getting together and sharing stories. For many years, Grace traveled alongside her husband Bob as they attended Marine Corps reunions throughout the country. She was known for her cooking skills and enjoyed caring for not only her flower gardens, but her vegetable garden as well.

Grace will be deeply missed by her five children, Kevin (Melinda Mason) Alexander of Dover, Leslie (husband, Doug) Kendle of Bolivar, Bruce “Alex” Alexander, Marc Alexander both of Wainwright, and Marissa (husband, Shawn) Handrich of Dover.

Seven grandchildren, Ian (Lauren), Maria, and Jared Alexander, Abigail (Joe) Roof and Alan Kendle, Riley and Grant (Summer) Handrich; two great-grandchildren, John David “J.D.” Alexander and Eleanor Grace Roof as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Grace was preceded in death by a grandson, Vincent Alexander and her siblings, Alex “Ping” (Pauline) Bonvechio and Gloria (Elwood) Keister.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from 1-3 and 5-7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where a Christian Wake Service will begin at 4:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Fr. Jeff Coning and Fr. Tom Gardner in Immaculate Conception Church at Dennison on Wednesday at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart’s Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services, all are invited to join the family for a time of food and fellowship in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia.

Memorial contributions in Grace’s name may be directed to St. Mary’s Elementary School, 100 Sherman St., Dennison, OH 44621 or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.