Mary Opal Ersek

Mary Opal Ersek, age 84, of New Philadelphia, died Friday March 9, 2012 in Union Hospital at Dover of heart failure.

Born September 13, 1926 in Bolivar, O., she was the daughter of the late Lewis and Julia (Shimko) Jewell.

Mary was a housewife who was known for her love of gardening. She often tended the flowers and yards of her neighbors as they became older. Mary loved volunteer work, especially at the Midvale VFW where she worked in the kitchen. For many years she also got groceries for friends who could no longer get out and often took them to doctor’s appointments.

In the last years she and her sister, Carrie, ate a meal out in one of the area’s many good restaurants and then went for rides throughout the back roads looking for deer, wild turkeys, and numerous birds.

Mary was an active member of Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Emery; her brother, Robert Jewell; and her brother, Lewis Jewell.

She is survived by her sister, Carrie Googash; her niece, Carol LeMasters; her nephew, Steven Googash; and five great-nephews.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Monday, March 12, 2012 from 1 to 2 p.m. Father Jeff Coning will lead Mary’s funeral beginning at 2 p.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia.