Mary Ellen Logan, of Mount Gilead, died peacefully at the Morrow County Hospital Extended Care Facility surrounded by her family following a decline in health over the past several years. She was 92 years old.
On March 30, 1919, Mary Ellen was born in southern Morrow County, at the family farm on State Route 656, the eldest of two daughters of the late Leo and Opal (Weaver) Patrick. She was raised in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in the Class of 1936.
Following high school, Mary Ellen continued her education at The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with Distinction in 1940. While there, she enjoyed connecting with people from near her hometown at the Morrow County Club meetings they had at school, which was where she met her husband to be, Ivan Logan.
Upon her graduation, Mary Ellen began her teaching career at the Orwell School in Ashtabula County, as their physical education instructor. Next, she wanted to be closer to home and took a position at the Johnsville School for two years. When World War II began, she worked at the Morrow County Extension Office as the War Food Assistant. At Kilgore’s in the summer she made bombs.
After their courtship was interrupted by the war, upon Ivan’s return from World War II, he and Mary Ellen were married on November 10, 1945, at the Bloomfield Methodist Church. She then joined him at his family farm, formerly Brookside Farms and presently known as Logan Farms, Inc. Together they raised four children: Anne, Barbara, Thomas and Emily; and have shared over sixty five years together.
When her four children were all in school, Mary Ellen began working again first at the Soil and Water Conservation Department, and then returning to teaching at the Chesterville School, which consolidated shortly thereafter into the Highland School System. While there, she taught French and English and held her students to the high standards she lived by, especially with regard to grammar and punctuation.
Devoted to her faith, Mary Ellen was an active member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, where she helped prepare countless meals and was the head of the cooking and meal department. She was active in Wesleyan Service Guild and later, United Methodist Women. For over twenty five years, she read her daily devotions in her Daily Guidepost books, a joy she shared with her daughters.
In addition to the church, Mary Ellen was a member of the Twin Pines Farm Bureau Council, South Bloomfield Grange, the Mother’s Forum, the American Association of University Women, Morrow County Retired Teachers, and the Camera Club. An excellent cook, there was never a bad meal that came out of Mary Ellen’s kitchen. Her family can go on and on about their favorites, such as her fried chicken and mashed potatoes, potato salad, and apple pie, which she would often bring when she and Ivan would take their family on a picnic. She even demonstrated some new recipes on television when television was just beginning, one of which is another family favorite, special sandwiches baked in foil. She was also an able seamstress, as she often made her own and her children’s clothes.
She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her husband, Ivan Logan of Mount Gilead; four children: Anne (Tom) Cotton of Mount Gilead, Barbara (Ken) Brewer of Marion, Tom Logan, and Emily (Bob) Shaffer, both of Mount Gilead; eight grandchildren: Michelle (Mike) Lobdell, Nathan (Cari) Cotton, Andy (Belinda) Cotton, Adam, Grant and Anita Brewer, Ryan Snyder and Chad (Rachel) Snyder; seven great-grandchildren: Amanda and Matthew Lobdell, Ashton and Allyson Cotton, Mia and Gabriel Cotton, and Mason Brewer; a sister-in-law, Ruth Logan of Mount Gilead; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Including her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her sister, Dorotha Brown (Jim) Korus; a nephew, Christopher Brown; three brothers-in-law: Blaine, Richard (Helen), and Jack Logan; and a sister-in-law, Ramel (Steve) McKirgan.
The Logan family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2011, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring her life will be held on Friday at 11:00a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 75 E. High St., Mount Gilead, with Rev. Charles Graham officiating. Burial will follow in Bryn Zion Cemetery.
Rather than flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, or to a charity of the donor’s choice, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
For those wishing to express their private condolences to Mary Ellen’s family, you may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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