Margaret M. Brechbiel

Margaret M. Brechbiel, 85, of the Park Village Health Care Center and formerly of Phoenix Drive, Dover died Thursday, April 3, 2008 following an extended illness.

Born August 21, 1922 in Kearney, Nebraska, she was the daughter of the late Fred J. and Hazel (Mastin) Buddemeier.

Margaret was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ at Dover. She was a graduate of Denver North High School in Denver, Colorado. She and her husband, Frank W. "Whitey" Brechbiel resided in numerous locations because of his career in the U.S. Army. While residing in Anchorage, Alaska, Margaret worked in communications and she weekly recorded messages from home to Alaskan trappers. While residing in Japan, Margaret was President of the PTA and was a Red Cross instructor teaching new brides from Japan the American methods of Housekeeping. Over the years, Margaret was a volunteer for Welcome Wagon, delivered and was Past President of Mobile Meals, served as a Poll worker for thirty years and was also the presiding judge. She was a Girl Scout leader and Den Mother and was a member and Past President of the Federated Womans Club and Three Arts Club. She traveled in forty nine of fifty states and took several trips overseas. She enjoyed gardening and her flowers, bowling, and golfing. She also enjoyed bridge and was active in several bridge clubs. Her biggest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

Margaret is survived by her husband Frank W. "Whitey" Brechbiel with whom she would have celebrated sixty six years of marriage on November 1; She is also survived by her daughter, JoAnn (husband, Jim) Mercer of New Philadelphia and her son, Richard "Dick" (wife, Darlene) Brechbiel of Kokomo, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Scott (Song Pun) Mercer of Fremont, California, M. Sean (Isabel) Mercer of Kent, Ohio, Patrick (Kelly) Mercer of Hanoverton, Ohio, Wes Brechbiel of Cape Coral, Florida, Erin Brechbiel of Tipton, Indiana, Stephen (Heather) Jackson and Sandy (Eric) Smith both of Kokomo; five great grandchildren, Elliot and Leah Mercer, Christopher Smith, Justin Smith, and Abbi Jackson.

A funeral service celebrating Margaret's life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 10:30am in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover with Rev. Michael Lowry officiating. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-8pm. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Margaret may sign the online register book by visiting the "obituaries" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

Memorials may be made to the St. John's United Church of Christ, 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330 343-6132