Marilyn Ann Kollesser

Marilyn Ann Kollesser, age 81, of Gahanna, Ohio, previously of Fairborn, Ohio, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2016. She was born December 8, 1934 in Covington, Ohio to the late Gilbert and Frances (Bernholt) Bergman. Marilyn met her husband, John Kollesser while he was serving in the United States Air Force (USAF), stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). She accepted his hand in marriage on February 4, 1956. Marilyn retired from WPAFB with 22 years of service with the Foreign Technology Division. She was a devout Catholic, and was known for her great cooking and quilting. She was a country girl who drove tractors as a teenager and was very proud of the 32 cats who lived in their barn. In recent years, Marilyn was a resident of Sunrise of Gahanna and then Otterbein Gahanna. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Paul Kollesser; daughter, Kimberly Wackerman; son, John Paul "Jack" Kollesser Jr.; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Mark John Barga; brother, Richard Bergman and very special dog, Buster. Marilyn is survived by her children, Theresa (Anthony) Aretz of Montana, Jeffrey Kollesser of Columbus and James "Jimmy" Kollesser of Dayton; son-in-law, Ronald Wackerman of Cincinnati; grandchildren, Gregory (Elyse) Gabringer, Ryan Wackerman, Justin (Moriah) Wackerman, Kaitlyn Wackerman, Donald Thomas "Tommy" Aretz, David Aretz and Michael Aretz; great-grandson, Colton Gabringer; sister-in-law Maurita Bergman; special niece Judith "Judy" Barga of Pleasant Hill, Ohio as well as several other nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends 4-7pm (prayer service at 6:30pm) Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30am Thursday, December 1, 2016 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 807 Havens Corners Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230; Fr. Daniel Swartz, celebrant. Graveside Service 2:30pm Thursday at Byron Cemetery, 3256 Trebein Rd., Fairborn, OH 45324. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Hospice of Central Ohio in Marilyn's memory. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories or extend condolences.