Anna McCracken

Anna Marie McCracken, 73, of Mansfield, died early Thursday morning, February 28, 2008 at her home. Born January 16, 1935 in Mansfield, she was the daughter of George W. and Mary Frances Dean Nelson. She was a 1953 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School. Anna Marie was a member of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was active in many activities and enjoyed spending time with her church family. She was primarily a homemaker and had worked as a secretary, most recently with several State Farm Insurance agencies. She organized the creation of the Butterfly Garden at Sterkel Park in the 1990s. Anna Marie enjoyed artwork, displaying many paintings throughout her home. She and her husband enjoyed researching the genealogy of their families.

She is survived by her husband, Norman McCracken; two children, Linda Richard Thompson of Mansfield and Doug Lori McCracken of Bellville; six grandchildren, Adam, Olivia, Ellery and Eden Thompson, Erin Thompson and her fiancé, Brian White, and Kate McCracken; sisters-in-law, Anne Marie Nelson, Marlene Ken Snider and Dolores Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents and brother, George W. Nelson preceded her in death.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. in First English Evangelical Church with Rev. Paul Larson officiating. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to MedCentral Hospice, 335 Glessner Ave., Mansfield, OH 44903, the Ohio Genealogical Society, 713 S. Main St., Mansfield, OH 44907 or the Seminary Student Fund at First Lutheran Church, 53 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, OH 44902.