Mary Martha Carruthers

Mary Martha Mumma Carruthers, age 85, of Avon Lake and formerly of Dover passed away peacefully on December 19, 2014, following a period of declining health.

A daughter of the late Simon Peter Mumma, Sr. and Erma Marie (Spies) Mumma; Mary was born on the family farm at Dover, Ohio on February 8, 1929.

A graduate of Dover High School, Mary attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and graduated from Malone College with a degree in Music Education. Mary raised her family in Dover where she taught music in local schools, was a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Program Co-Director, Choir Director of the adult, youth, children’s and bell choirs at St. John’s United Church of Christ, and served as Music Director of the UCC Family Camp at Dunkirk, NY.

Mary volunteered with the Brandywine Grange, Dover Schools PTA and was a Camp Fire Girl Leader. She was active in the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County and was best remembered for her role as Reverend Mother in “Sound of Music”. After moving to the Cleveland Area, Mary was a volunteer usher at Severance Hall and sang in local choirs. She enjoyed and took comfort in reading the Bible, baking, gardening and volunteering at local churches. Above all, Mary cherished every minute spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Donald W. Carruthers, whom she married in 2005; her loving children, Jennifer G. (Mark) Fenderbosch, of Avon Lake, Ohio, John B. (Pearl) Hanner of Gnadenhutten, Ohio and David S. Hanner of Centreville, MD; step-children, Brian (Amy) Carruthers, Scott (Annette) Carruthers, Cathy Carruthers and Kaycee (Chris) Parker; and her sister, Ruth Alice (Ted) Loessi of Dover.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) Tenhundfeld of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Andrew (Julie) Fenderbosch of Carencro, La; Brian Hanner of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Stephanie (Jacqueline) Hanner of Delaware, Ohio; Paul (Lindsay) Hanner of Escondido, California; Glenn Hanner of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Monica Hanner of Centreville, Maryland; six step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, Jacob and Caroline Hanner, Emma, Alex, Lila and Tessa Tenhundfeld; Londyn Rivera; and Addison Fenderbosch, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Simon Peter and Erma Mumma and her former husband, Walter R. Hanner, Jr.

The family will greet guests on Friday, December 26, 2014, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Geib Funeral Center, 5600 N Wooster Avenue, Dover Ohio. A memorial service celebrating Mary’s life will be held in the Dover Funeral Center, on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery at Dover.

The family would like to thank the staff of Main Street at Towne Center of Avon Lake, Ohio and the staff of Crossroads Hospice for their exceptional and compassionate care given to Mary.

Memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be directed to Crossroads Hospice, 9775 Rockside Road, Suite 270, Valley View, Oh 44125 or to St. John’s United Church of Christ, 409 N Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622.