Mary Ann Milarchik

Mary Ann Milarchik, age 93, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, January 8, 2014 while in the care of Community Hospice House at New Philadelphia following a brief illness.

Born in 1920, Mary enjoyed celebrating her birthday on October 12. She was born at Crescent, Ohio a daughter of the late Gerald and Julia (Bodziach) Josefczyk.

She attended school at Maynard, Ohio and during World War II, worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in Cleveland, Ohio at the Schoenbrunn Plant which manufactured tank tracks. Mary also served families as a nanny and as a companion aide to the elderly while working in Wheeling, West Virginia and later in life, worked at the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge as a cook and waitress.

On February 18, 1950, in the Saint Stanislaw Catholic Church at Maynard, She wed the love of her life, Theodore Milarchik. Together, the couple raised two children and shared in many years of traveling throughout the United States and Poland; ultimately celebrating 35 years of marriage prior to his death on September 29, 1985.

She was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia having been involved with the Altar Society, LCBA and other church programs as well as being a member of the Polish National Alliance. Mary was always known to be the life of the party and enjoyed remaining a kid at heart throughout her 93 years. She enjoyed reading story books to the children in her family and will long be remembered for her baking skills.

Mary leaves behind a daughter, Cheryl (Greg) Fuhrer of New Philadelphia; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Milarcik of Dundee; a sister, Jennie Hritz of Pleasant Grove, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Frances Josefczyk of Massillon.

Completing the family are seven grandchildren, Gregory (Eryn) Fuhrer, II of Macedonia, Marisa (Tom) Zink of North Royalton, Andrea (Brandon) Bergum, of Copley, Douglas (Meghann) Fuhrer of Twinsburg, April Milarcik of Cincinnati, Rebekah (John) Curran of Columbus and Laura Milarcik of Dundee; ten great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Babka”, Antonette and Zachary Fuhrer, Alexandra, Josephine, and Vivian Zink, Nicholas, Christopher, Mason and expected great-grandson Bergum , and Caitlin Curran as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Ted Milarcik; siblings, Sophie Gretchen, Dolores, John, Stanley, and Frank Josefczyk.

The family will greet guests on Sunday, January 12, 2014 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with a Christian Wake service starting visitation at 2:00 PM. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 10:30 AM in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia. Burial alongside her husband will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services, a luncheon will be held in St. Ambrose Hall, adjacent to the church. In keeping with Mary’s lively and colorful personality, guests are encouraged to wear bright colors to visitation and the service.

Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be directed to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Mary by visiting the funeral home’s website at www.GeibCares.com.