Born to Earl and Francis Schuler Nov. 22, 1925, she was preceded in death by her brother, Edward aged 51 years. Mary was a maternal descendant of the first settlers of Mansfield being the great-great-great granddaughter of John Creyton Gilkison and Sarah Coffinberry Gilkison. With the exception of the last three years, she was a Mansfield resident for her entire life.
Mary was an alum of Mansfield Senior High School, Class of 1944. She was a wife, mother and homemaker, married to William E. Levison for 58 years. Her children are Nancy Hartman, former spouse Douglas Hartman (deceased), Carolyn (deceased), and Philip married to Estelita (spouse). Mary had one grandson, Scott Hartman married to Amy (deceased) and has one great granddaughter, Addison Hartman. During Mary’s life she endured the loss of daughter, Carolyn, who died at age 13 and the loss of her granddaughter-in-law, Amy Hartman at age 46.
Mary who went more often by her middle name, Eileen, faithfully served her childhood church of St. Luke’s Lutheran almost her entire life. She worked in retail for many years starting out as a clerk for Mansfield’s Scattergood’s Department store, and toward the end of WWII, at the Army Base PX in Fresno California. In the 60s and 70s she worked as the Bookstore Manager for The Ohio State University Branch, Mansfield Campus. Her musical talents included playing accordion, where she entertained at various events including early Mansfield’s dance halls and, later in life, at nursing homes; many times accompanied by husband, ‘Bill’ on guitar. She was also a locally recognized author, self-publishing books on subjects of local history. Among the more popular titles were; ‘Corner of Fifth and Walnut,’ ‘Ohio Was Their Home,’ and ‘Mansfield, a Town in the Wilderness.’ Her long life of service included: Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, Ohio Genealogical Society Volunteer, Mansfield City Schools Tutor, Church Women United member, Raintree children with disabilities assistant Volunteer, Third Street Clinic Board Member, Salvation Army Volunteer, local Democratic Party Volunteer and Richland County Historical Museum Docent. One of Mary’s favorite recreational activities was pedaling the Mansfield bike trail well into her 90s.
Mary’s life will be remembered for her warm friendly hospitality and love for serving others through the church and the community. A memorial service will be held at Southside Christian Church, 2055 Middle Bellville Rd. Mansfield, OH 44904, Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Donations in Mary Eileen’s memory may be given to: Lutheran Social Services, 1105 Schrock Rd. Ste 100, Columbus, OH 43229 https://lssnetworkofhope.org
Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario is honored to serve the family Mary Eileen Levison.
