Rachael Gongwer

Rachael A. Gongwer, 85, of Mansfield, died Tuesday morning, April 11, 2006. Born March 17, 1921, in Mansfield, she was the daughter of Dolphus and Farona Miller Caton. She was a 1939 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School and lifetime member of First Christian Church where she was a former deaconess and former Birthday Secretary. Mrs. Gongwer retired from Ideal Electric after 31 years, where she worked in the payroll department. She was a member of Order of Amaranth, Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem, Naomi Shrine #10, Order of the Eastern Star and Copus Hill Chapter of Penn-Ohio Model A Ford Club.

She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Norma Gongwer of Columbus and Sally and Thomas Franzen of Mansfield and; a grandson and his wife, Neal and Lindsay Franzen; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Hubert Hensley of Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Catherine Gongwer Sealer Hughes of Michigan; six nieces and nephews, Sondra David Knisely, Stan Pam Hensley, Patty Wingard, Jeff Kathy Caton, Angela Darrell Kirsch, and Christie Robert Miller; nine great-nephews; and two great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold Gongwer in 1996, whom she married September 18, 1940; and her two brothers, D. Merritt Ann Caton and George F. Marjorie Caton.

Friends may call Thursday, April 13, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors with White Shrine services at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Sharon Kiesel. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or First Christian Church.