Mary Ruth Tolbert

Mary Ruth Tolbert, 97, of Circleville passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012 at her residence. She was born January 29, 1915 in Columbus, the daughter of the late William H. and Mary Florence (Young) Tolbert, both of whom died by the time Mary reached the age of 5. Mary was also preceded in death by her brother, William Frank Tolbert; sisters, Florence Evans and Elizabeth Tolbert; and her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth (Ludwig) and Bernard Young who raised her at Mount Oval, the farm she lived on throughout her life. Mary is survived by her niece, Marilyn (Evans) Arledge of Circleville; nephew, Bill Tolbert of Virginia; great niece, Krista (Jeff) Amann of Circleville; great nephew, Jim R. (Rhonda) Arledge of Orient; several great-great nieces and nephews; and many, many students and friends. She graduated from Pickaway Township High School in 1931, received her Bachelors Degree from The Ohio State University in 1935, and her Masters Degree in Music from Columbia University. She continued her graduate work at Julliard School of Music and OSU. Her first teaching job was teaching vocal and instrumental music at Walnut Twp. School in Pickaway County. A Professor Emeritus, Mary taught at The Ohio State University School of Music for over 40 years. Some of her well known students include composer/educator, Wallace DePue and internationally known jazz pianist, Karen Fanta-Zumbrunn. Mary had an extensive amount of education throughout her life which included international studies in Europe, Russia, China, Africa and Mediterranean countries. Ms. Tolbert also authored many music publications, including one which she co-authored titled, “This is Music” which is still used in many schools to this day. Mary was the former president of the Ohio Music Education Association and was a member of the Columbus Senior Musicians Hall of Fame. She was a former president of the Pickaway County Historical Society and has donated her home and farm to the society to be used as a teaching farm.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home, 151 E. Main St., Circleville with Chaplain Jim Ferrell officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Berger Hospice, 1170 N. Court St., Circleville, OH 43113 or Circle of Caring, 1280 N. Court St., Circleville, OH 43113. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences.