Grace Lydia (nee Shively) Ehresman passed away peacefully on Sunday March 5, 2023 at 104 1/2 years old with her loving daughter and son by her side.
She was born on July 3, 1918 at home in Edinburg, OH to the late Orrie E. and Blanche (nee McKenzie) Shively. Grace had a sister Ethel (Shively) Porter and brother Paul Shively. When Grace was 3 years old they moved to Windham to a house on Rt. 303. She graduated from Windham High School in 1936. She was a guard on the girls’ basketball team. In 1999 she was Inducted into the Windham High School Alumni Hall of Fame. She attended Kent State University and became an elementary teacher. She taught for two years in Windham before marrying Robert (Bob) Ehresman, also of Windham on June 28, 1941. They eventually lived on 3 acres on Rt. 82 in Windham (Garrettsville Address). They had a son Ron (now living in Olmsted Twp.) and daughter Jeanne (now living in Ravenna). Grace was a Wonderful at home Mother! To help out with Ron going to Defiance College and Jeanne to Bohecker’s Business College in Ravenna, Grace went back to Kent State University when she was about 42 years old to update her teaching credentials. She then taught 3rd grade in Windham from 1960 to 1968. Grace attended and eventually then joined the Windham Congregational Church of Christ from 3 years old until she was 93. During her years there she was a Sunday School teacher and helped with Helping Hand Dinners (known for their Swiss Steak Dinners). On September 27, 1998 she was given a plaque from the Church in Appreciation of Outstanding Service. She and Jeanne Followed their dear friend Carol Zeh (who had filled in at the church for a year) to where she attended at The Stow Community Church and joined there. Grace and Bob moved to Nelson on Brosius Road in 1971 and then moved to Ravenna in 1991 to be closer to Jeanne. Bob passed away on Nov. 19, 1996. As Grace needed more help at home in her later years, Jeanne eventually moved in with her to help. Grace had a Maine Coone kitty Freddy for 16 years as company and after he passed away she adopted a Tabby named Tobie who then entertained her. Grace loved being outside up until about 99. She loved All Flowers and planted at her place and at Jeanne’s place 4 streets away! She also loved seeing all the birds (and squirrels) who came to her bird feeders.
Grace will be deeply missed by her children, Ron Ehresman and Jeanne Ehresman; her grandchildren Pam (Bob) Pennock and Mark (Kim) Ehresman; great grandchildren Isaac (fiancée MacKenzie), Sam, Alice, Ben, Max; and MANY nieces and nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her husband Bob Ehresman; her daughter-in-law Donna Ehresman; and many friends.
Visitation to honor Grace’s amazing life was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center ST., Garrettsville, OH 44231. A funeral service followed at the funeral home at 12:00 P.M. with family friend Carol Zeh leading the service. Grace will be taken to Windham Twp. Cemetery, Windham Parkman Rd., Windham, OH 44288 where she was laid next to her husband Bob.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted by The United Church of Christ, 9029 N. Main St, P. O. Box 402, Windham, OH 44288; The Community Church of Stow, 1567 Pilgrim Dr., Stow, OH 44224 or The Animal Protective League, https://portageapl.org/donate/, P.O. Box 927, Ravenna, OH 44266, in Grace’s name, to honor her memory. For online condolences go to www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com.
