Mary Ann Altizer

Mary Ann (Thompson) Altizer was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 15, 2021 at the age of 92. Born to Ed and Bernadine (Hessinger) Thompson, Mary Ann grew up in Grove City, Ohio on her parents’ farm. Mary Ann loved living there, and she often shared stories of working in the gardens with her mother.

Mary Ann graduated from Grove City’s Jackson Township High School in 1946. After graduating, she entered the workforce at Columbia Gas Company. She always loved her job, and was reported to be one of the fastest Clerk Typists they ever had.

Mary Ann later moved to Gahanna, Ohio, where she became a member of Peace Lutheran Church. During her 55 years there, she focused her attention on helping others. She took part in many service projects with the Women’s Dorcas Circle, regularly joined in the fun with the Ladies’ Euchre Club, and also participated in the Heifer Project, providing livestock and training to families in need. Mary Ann truly enjoyed the close fellowship she had with all of her friends at Peace Lutheran. And in her quiet time, she crocheted. At age 50 it became her new, favorite hobby which she enjoyed daily for 40 years.

From the time she retired in 1987 until recently in 2019, Mary Ann stayed busy. She had so much fun picking up her friends and taking them out to eat. She was a frequent visitor to Gahanna’s Max & Erma’s Restaurant, Bob Evans, and Jade Bowl House where most of the staff knew her by name. It gave her much joy being out-and-about with other people. She was quite the conversationalist, too. Never short on words, Mary Ann always had a story to share.

At 67, Mary Ann married Frank Altizer, who was 72 at the time. She always said they “fell in love like two teenagers.” While they only had 15 years together, she never stopped talking about the love story she and Frank shared.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Bernadine (Hessinger) Thompson; brother, Billy Thompson; sister, Margie Meyers; and husband, Frank Altizer. She is survived by her sister, Norma Burke; daughters Carolyn (Greg) Ehlen, Linda (James) Freeh, and Mollie Cheatham; as well as grandchildren, Jessica, Teresa, Lauren, Brian, Derrick, and Samantha Grace. She also leaves behind her very special friends, Elizabeth Russell, Bonnie Lucas, Carol Watts, and Diane Elliott.

Per Covid restrictions, a limited memorial service for 25 family members and close friends will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 Johnstown Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230. Funeral service will begin at 10:00am, Pastor Tony Katko officiating. A livestream of the service will be available on this page. Interment will take place at Mifflin Cemetery in Gahanna. Heartfelt thanks go to Nate Morse, Nico Candido, Sylvester Bockarie, Brennan Albertini, Jake Gooding, and Evan Butcher, members of the Westerville North Varsity Wrestling Team who will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Central Ohio. The Hospice team was so good to Mary Ann in her final weeks. Donations in her name will be greatly appreciated.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even if he dies.”

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.