Mary Jane (Carr) Lugibihl, 96, of Pandora, died at 12:02 p.m. at Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora, on April 14, 2013. She was born on April 7, 1917, at the family’s “Hickory Farm” near Bluffton, to William G. and Eva M. (Deitler) Carr. She attended grade school at the Hickory One-Room Country School and graduated from Pandora High School where she excelled as a member of the women’s basketball team.
On July 5, 1952, she married Harlan E. Lugibihl who preceded her in death on Jan. 24, 1992.
She and her husband were co-owners of Harlan’s Bar-B-Q and Catering and served thousands at community events and fundraisers throughout Ohio. She also worked earlier at the Amstutz Cannery, Triplett Company in Bluffton, and the First National Bank of Pandora. She also was a charter member of the Asi No Mas club, Pandora.
She was a veteran of World War II. She attained the rank of Staff Sergent in the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) and served at Oglethorpe Army Base, Ga., New York City, and at Wright Patterson Base in Dayton. In 2009 she was honored to join the Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio in touring Washington, D.C., and the World War II Memorial. She was a 65-year member of the American Legion Post of Pandora.
Surviving are two sisters, Pauline Bibler and Barbara Gardiner of Hilty Memorial Home in Pandora, and her sister-in-law, Evelyn Lugibihl of Pandora. Preceding her in death was her sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie M. and Harold C. Zuercher, Pandora, brother and sister-in-law, David W. and Catharine (Alspach) Carr, Vashon, Wash., brother-in-law Wallace Lugibihl, Pandora, and sister-in-law, Gertrude Drummer (Bob), Pandora.
She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews: William D. Carr (Beng Imm), Vashon, Wash.; Cathleen Carr, deceased, Vashon, Wash.; Ned C. Zuercher (Cindy), Pandora; Deborah J. Backus (David), Anthem, Ariz.; Peter T. Gardiner (Kristi), Port Orchard, Wash.; Colette A. Mata, Findlay; Gregory C. Zuercher (Susan), Findlay; David L. Gardiner, deceased, Mill Valley, Calif.; Timothy C. Bibler (Shirley), Springboro; Cheryl Pingle (Dan), Bowling Green; Dana Lugibihl (Jenny), Port Clinton; Arthur Armbrecht (Gail), Bemus Point, N.Y.; Gary Armbrecht (Chris), Grand Rapids, Mich.; Bill Armbrecht (Patty), Sandusky; Carl Drummer, Oklahoma City, Ok.; Gretchen Holtgreven (Tom), Lima; and Susie Drummer, Houghton Lake, Mich.
Friends and family may visit on Tuesday, April 16, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Chiles-Laman Funeral Home, Bluffton.
She was a member of the Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Her funeral services will be held there at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, with visitation one hour prior to funeral service.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery with the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Squad performing full military rites.
Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Ebenezer Mennonite Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.chiles-lamanfh.com
