Obituary of Mary J. McErlane

Mary Jeanette (nee Heckler) McErlane died peacefully, surrounded by love, on February 7, 2023, at the age of 96. Loving mother of Mary "Mollie" (Craig) Auberger, Iduna "Peggy" Borger, Jean McGrady, Julie (David) Crispino, and Patricia Manhardt. Formerly of Celina, Ohio, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Josephine (nee Borger) Heckler, brothers Paul, James, and Luke Heckler, sister-in-law Ginny Heckler, and son-in-law Keith Brabender. She is survived by brother Joe Heckler and sisters-in-law Doris and Mary Margaret "Vundy" Heckler. Grandma Mary is lovingly remembered by grandchildren Matthew and Julie Auberger, Christina Auberger (Christopher) Ayers, Frank Borger, Meghan (Joe Gayetsky), Michael (Nicole), Taylor, and Katherine McGrady, Joseph and Diana Crispino, Robert (Katie), Laura, and Jonathan Manhardt. "Grammar" Mary also delighted in her great-grandchildren Avery, Claire, and Grace Auberger, Arlo and Ada Gayetsky, Melanie McGrady, and Knox Manhardt. She is fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews as well. Mary was the first full-time employee of the Shriners' Burns Institute in Cincinnati from which she retired in 1991. In the following years she volunteered much of her time at the Glenmary Home Missioners home office and also volunteered in a variety of capacities at Nativity of Our Lord church and school in Pleasant Ridge. Mary spent many hours gardening and was known for the lovely flowers and landscaping of her yard. She passed on that love of nature to her children and grandchildren and took them to Krohn Conservatory and nearby parks. Mary was also an excellent seamstress, quilter, and knitter. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord at 10AM. Visitation at the church 30 minutes prior to Mass. Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery, Ohio. Memorials in Mary's honor can be made to Glenmary Home Missioners, 4119 Glenmary Trace, Fairfield, Ohio 45014 (www.glenmary.org).