Kathy Jean Hornung

She is survived by her daughter, Cheri (Brian) Meyers, grandchildren, Meaghan and Brandon Meyers, and great-grandchild, Bentley Ell. She is also survived by sisters, Christina White, Brenda (Tim) Pettit and close friend John Hunt. She will be remembered fondly by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Don & JoAnn Hager and her brother, Mike Hager.

Kathy was born in her childhood home in Gallipolis, Ohio in January of 1950. The eldest of four children, Kathy played a motherly role to her younger siblings. The family moved to the Columbus area where she attended Lindbergh Elementary and Hilltonia Middle School. Some of her favorite past times during her childhood included roller skating, bowling at Hillcrest Bowling Lanes and ice cream trips to Moore’s Dairy Bar. She could often be found picking grapes off the vine and climbing the big tree in the front yard of her home on Alkire Road. Summers included special visits with grandparents, Joe & Mary Dobbins, where she enjoyed swimming in the pond, which had a homemade diving board and a rope swing her grandpa made for the local children and riding Buck the horse, who was bought by her uncle Darrel Dobbins. With a large front porch on the Galloway farmhouse, many nights were spent with family playing guitars and singing.

A popular student at Pleasant View High School, Kathy played basketball and the clarinet in the marching band. Her senior year, she moved into her own apartment and began working at Doctor’s Hospital as she completed her classes. An active member of the Wilson Avenue Church of the Nazarene, cousin Gary Shupe played match maker and introduced Kathy to who would become her future husband, Stephen Hornung. They were married in the same church on July 8, 1968. Steve soon enlisted in the United States Air Force and Kathy began her life as a military wife. In November 1971, the couple soon became the proud parents of their only child, a daughter, Cheri Dawn Hornung.

Kathy was a devoted military spouse and spent many of her days ironing uniforms, shining shoes and helping Steve study for his promotions. It was during these years that Mindy the dog was adopted, whom Kathy dotted upon like a second child. Her husband’s decades long military career would take Kathy all over the country including Mississippi, Maine, Virginia, Florida, Michigan and Texas. Fearful of flying, they also lived in Ontario, Canada to fulfill Steve’s “overseas” duty. Steve served remotely twice in Alaska, leaving Kathy to parent solo. During these years she took on a variety of local jobs to help support her family. She was always proud to be the wife of an US Airman. Upon Steve’s retirement, the couple returned to Columbus. She worked a variety of jobs in Ohio, the longest with with Avaya telecommunications. The couple divorced in 2006.

Kathy was always very independent and took pride in being able to purchase her own home after her divorce. She took pride that her home was clean, and her bills were paid. She loved to travel with her long-time companion John Hunt - especially train rides, taking in lighthouses and staying at the cabins at different state parks. Although John resided in New York, he and Kathy stayed close with daily texts and phone calls. Kathy also enjoyed spending time catching up with her sisters with trips to Buckeye Lake and near daily texts and conversations. She enjoyed a variety of music throughout her life and went to concerts when she could. As a devoted ‘Swiftie,’ Kathy’s last concert was to see Taylor Swift’s The Era’s Tour in Cincinnati with her daughter.

Kathy kept up with many of the friends that she had been stationed with in the Air Force and frequently vacationed with them. Everyone remembers her as a kind, thoughtful and sweet person who always greeted them with a friendly, “Hey girl!” She loved cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes, and rarely missed watching the game.

Kathy’s greatest joy was spending time with her two grandchildren and great-grandson. She enjoyed spoiling them at Christmas and taking them for small adventures around the state. Her home is full of pictures of each of them. She would gladly take a moment from anyone’s day to brag about them and bring up a photo on her phone. She was very excited for Bentley to begin kindergarten this fall.

Kathy will be missed by many. We were not ready to say good-bye. A celebration of her life will be held on the last weekend of September. More information regarding the memorial, please call or text Cheri Meyers at 614-900-2870.