Mary Jane Hency

Mary Jane Hency, 99, of New Dawn Health Care Center and formerly of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Monday, July 27, 2015 surrounded by her family following a period of declining health.

Born on November 23, 1915, she was the daughter of the late James L. and Minda M. (Couts) Edie. She was a 1932 graduate of New Philadelphia High School.

As a young woman, Mary Jane was employed at Cozy Corner, and Graff’s Grocery Store, both in New Philadelphia. At Graff’s she met her future husband, the late George L. Hency. They wed on July 11, 1936. She worked for the Children’s Home in Dover and then during WWII, Mary Jane was employed at Tyson Roller Bearing. She continued her professional employment with the Massillon Post Office, the Twilight Drive-In Theatre, and Kiser Paint in New Philadelphia.

She was the oldest member of Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia where she participated in the Golden Rule Sunday School Class, the Mary-Martha Circle, and The United Methodist Women.

Mary Jane will be deeply missed by her children including Arline (Ronald) Menges of Findlay, O., James (Susan) Hency of Columbus, Sally Holleman of Lehigh Acres, Florida, and June (William) Celce of Dover; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and her sister, Arline Covey of Arlington, Virginia.

In addition to her parents, Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband, George, on January 26, 1986; her son, George Larry Hency in 1945; her sisters, Hazel Lightel and Florence Fogle; her brothers, William Byron, John, Russell, Richard, and an infant brother; her son-in-law, Gregg Holleman; and her grandson-in-law, Craig McCarthy.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. A service celebrating Mary Jane’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel Friday beginning at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Mick Foster officiating.

Burial alongside her husband will follow in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Friends are welcome to join the family at the Geib Family Center following the burial for a luncheon.

Memorial contributions in Mary Jane’s memory may be directed to Broadway United Methodist Church, 120 Church Ave SE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.