Candy Prystaloski

Mary Katherine “Candy” Prystaloski left us on Monday, December 23, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. She began her life on October 26, 1946, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Fairborn, Ohio. Candy attended elementary schools at Naha AFB in Okinawa and in Beavercreek, Ohio; middle and high schools in Beavercreek and Fairborn, Ohio; and graduated from Yamato High School in Japan in 1964. In 1965, her family returned to WPAFB, where she worked and met Donald Francis Prystaloski, whom she married on June 18, 1966.

Candy, with her generous spirit and unapologetically feisty personality, navigated life with a distinctive flair that was all her own. Her middle finger was not just an expression of her playful defiance but a symbol of the love and authenticity she bestowed upon her family and friends. It was a signature gesture that, alongside her laughter, will echo in the hearts of those who knew her.

Candy's life was a testament to her boundless energy and commitment to her community. As the 1990 Mayor of Beavercreek, a Vice Mayor, City Council member, and Planning Commission chairwoman, she led with a blend of reverence and unwavering dedication. Her accolades, including the 2020 Greene County Women's Hall of Fame Community Service Award and the 2006 Beavercreek Chamber of Commerce Military Person of the Year Award, barely scratch the surface of her impact.

She was a tireless advocate for the military, a founding member and past president of the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association (MVMAA), an integral part of establishing Valor Park that honored U.S. Air Force Medal of Honor recipients, a supporter of Wright State University's Athletics and Arts (grateful to be selected as a Gala Director), and part of the F-16 family. She was a dedicated realtor who always put the buyer first and loved introducing new people to the community. Candy's love for the VFW Post 8312, Wellington Grille, Country Club of the North, and a good glass of pinot grigio were matched only by her passion for decorating, fashion, and time spent with family and friends. She was the life of every room she entered, a true Beavercreek original, a one-of-a-kind presence —Candy's legacy is as colorful and enduring as her name.

Left to honor Candy’s memory are her sister Toni Bebe Chambers (d. Robert); daughters Diane, Donna (Tim) Dempsey, and Debra; grandchildren Tiffany Jordan, and Krystal (Jesse) Tschudy; and great-grandchildren Avery, Roderik, Myla, Hadley, Zaphira, Wrenly; and fur-baby Destiny. Candy's spirit will forever dance in their hearts. We will miss her warm presence. She now joins her beloved husband Donald Francis Prystaloski; her parents Angelo “Tony” and Vivian Tononi; and her cherished aunt and uncle Lena and Bruno Butto.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Candy's extraordinary life at Tobias Funeral Home in Beavercreek, Ohio, on January 17 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and on January 18 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a memorial service at 1:00pm. Donations may be made to Angel's Pass Girl Scout Memorial and VFW 8312 Honor Squad - causes close to Candy's heart.

Candy's story is not one of ending, but a vibrant tale that continues to inspire and resonate within the community she loved and the lives she touched. Her laughter echoes in our memories, her spirit lives on in our actions, and her legacy is cherished in the countless stories shared by those who knew her. Rest in peace, dear Candy; you are profoundly missed and eternally loved.

Candy will be interred with her husband Donald Prystaloski in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.