Marion Rimmer

Marion J. Rimmer, 84, passed away in peace at her home after a long illness on November 1, 2008. She will be greatly missed by a loving family and many friends. She was born February 19, 1924 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Marion graduated from Mansfield Senior High's split class of 1942, where she loved playing in the band, enjoyed dancing, and spending time with her friends. She lived through the Great Depression, WWII, and the Big Band era, the calm of the 50's and the ups-and-downs of the next five decades. During WWII, Marion worked at Cochran's, a paint store, in downtown Mansfield. She was a consistent pen pal, writing to many friends in the military service throughout the war. She and her girlfriends loved to go dancing and spending time at the lakes. Marion dedicated 20 years to the Crippled Children's organization, and played a significant role in the founding of the Mansfield Rehabilitation Center. She volunteered her time and promoted the needs of handicapped children, serving as a Girl Scout leader for many years. Marion also worked as a bookkeeper for one of Mansfield's first fast food restaurants, Burger Chef. As the wife of a home builder, Albert Rimmer of Burkhart Building Center, she enjoyed decorating for the Parade of Homes and promoting events of the Home Builders Association. She loved playing bridge and was a life member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was an active member of the Mansfield Garden Club, and enjoyed flower arranging competitions. Marion was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Marion was preceded in death by her loving husband, Albert R. Rimmer; her parents, James F. and Edna Burkhart; mother and father-in-law, Don and Verda Rimmer; brother and sister-in-law, James D. and Patsy Burkhart. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Donna Rimmer of Plain City, Ohio; daughter, Leslie Rimmer of Mansfield; grandchildren, Kristin Thomas Blunk and Michael Audrey Kathrein; great-grandchildren, Henry, Alexander, Adam, and Caroline Blunk, and Alaina Kathrein; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Donnie Burkhart; nephews, John Charlene Heiser, John E. Slaybaugh III, James F. Burkhart, John Kathy Burkhart, Jeffery Teresa Burkhart; nieces, Jackie Gordon Moxley, Cathy Heiser Volpe, Julie Thomas McCready; and many great nephews and nieces.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Mansfield, Ohio 44906. Beta Sigma Phi will hold services at 7:45 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home conducted by Rev. Dr. Faith Proietti. Burial will be in Mansfield Memorial Park. The family requests donations be made to MedCentral Hospice.