Bertha Ellen Hawn, 90, of Wilmington, Ohio, passed away April 12, 2008, at Quaker Heights Care Community in Waynesville, Ohio.
She was born in Fairhope, Ohio, on Oct. 12, 1917, the daughter of the late Charles and Hope (Irwin) Schmitt.
Bertha spent most of her life in Minerva, where she had resided with her husband, Leward, and family on the farm since 1945. She was a member of First Christian Church of Minerva and had served there as a teacher, church librarian and historian, as well as choir member. She attended Kent State University and Malone College and served as librarian of the Minerva Public Library from 1957 to 1982. She, at one time, was a Red Cross instructor, member of the Minerva Women's Club, Alliance Genealogical Society, Minerva Garden Club, Minerva D.A.R. and Minerva Historical Society. She was spirited and creative and was an avid reader. She crocheted, cross-stitched, gardened and collected miniatures and whimsical items. After retirement she applied her library skills to genealogy, traveling to do research for herself and others. Bertha's whimsical humor, laughter and love of books were an integral part of her. She loved walking in her woods and seeing her red trillium appear every year. The last few years she enjoyed residing closer to family in Wilmington, Ohio. Even with the effects of late-onset Alzheimer's, she still retained her smile, laugh and love of books.
Bertha is survived by two daughters, Karen (Daun) Yeagley, of Wilmington, Ohio, and Linda (Joseph) Donahue, of White Hall, Ark. She is also survived by grandchildren, Susan Cook, of Richmond upon Thames, England, Christopher Cook, of Columbus, Ohio, Daun Yeagley III, of Moraine, Ohio, and Meredith Yeagley, of Wilmington, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leward M. Hawn, in 1981, her son, David, in 1962, and three brothers, Russell Schmitt, Harry Schmitt and Clyde Schmitt, and a sister, Jeannette Schmitt.
Funeral services will be at First Christian Church of Minerva at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 17, with Mr. Ralph Norman officiating. Calling hours will be two hours before services at the church. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery.
Friends unable to attend may register online at Bartley's Web site: www.bartleyfuneralhome.com.