Margery Ann Dolby

Margery Ann Dolby, 79, of Van Wert, peacefully passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2016, after an extended illness.

Margery was born June 9, 1937, in Gettysburg, Ohio, the third daughter of Elmer A. and Erma F. (Waggoner) Martin, who both preceded her in death. She graduated from Gettysburg High School as valedictorian of her class in 1955 and attended Manchester (Indiana) College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education in 1959. While at Manchester, she met Rex Dolby from Huntington, Indiana. The two were married on August 1, 1959, in Gettysburg, and set out on a journey of love that lasted for 57 happy years.

She taught second grade in Owosso, Michigan, prior to starting their family. They were blessed with three children, Michael, Jeff, and Staci. She delighted in being a wife and mother.

The family moved to Van Wert in 1963 and were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church, where her love of music was evident as she sang in the choir, participated in the handbell choir, and was the pianist for the Joy Bells. She was also a member of the Van Wert Community Band. While raising her family, she was a sales and team leader for Avon and also taught piano to many children in her home.

After raising her children, she went on to a career as the manager of the Home Office Services, Mail Supply, and Telephone Switchboard departments at Central Mutual Insurance Company, eventually retiring in 1997.

Margery was a loving, sunny person who brought kindness and caring to everyone she met, being guided by her deep Christian faith. She was the heart of the family and adored by her husband and children. To her seven grandchildren, she was an angel.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rex Dolby of Van Wert; two sons, Michael (Mary) Dolby of Westerville and Jeff (Tanya) Dolby of Buford, Georgia; a daughter, Staci (Rich) Cole of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren, Rachel and Ethan Dolby, Hunter and Mackenzi Cole, and Alexis, Carissa, and Madison Dolby; two sisters, Jane (Lowell) Eberwein of Lexington, Kentucky, and Jean (Don) Dull of Gettysburg; as well as many friends, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, September 9, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Josh Angel officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Gettysburg Cemetery in Gettysburg, Ohio.

Visitation is from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 8, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, and an hour prior to services Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Trinity United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.