Elsie Powers

Elsie M. Powers, 87, of Huntsville passed away at 8:35 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Logan Acres Care Center. She was born in West Mansfield, Ohio on November 11, 1927 to the late Russell Samuel and Goldie Mae (Meddles) O’Neil.

Elsie is survived by five children; Connie (Gene) Plank of Bellefontaine, John (Jaynie) Powers of Urbana, Donna (Ron) Martz of Huntsville, Bev (Mike) Martz of Huntsville and Todd (Kelly) Powers of Bellefontaine; 11 grandchildren; two great grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Dan Powers; a sister, Nell Rea; and three brothers, Clyde, Russell Jr. and Merle O’Neil.

A 1945 graduate of West Mansfield High School, Elsie worked hard not only as a mother of 6 children, but as a farmer’s wife for many years. She helped develop a solid work ethic in her children by not only assigning regular chores to each child, but having them help make Saturday egg deliveries to her city customers along with selling sweet corn at the end of their farmhouse driveway. Finishing out her work years she was employed in the meat department of Martz’s IGA in Huntsville and later at their grocery store in Jackson Center.

She demonstrated her Christian heart by sharing the family home with a brother-in-law who had cancer and later on having her mother-in-law live in the Powers’ home for several years.

Elsie has shown her community support by being a 50+ year member of the local American Legion Auxiliary. She was also active in the Literary Club, Pleasant Hill Social Club and was a long-time Huntsville Village Council member.

Elsie especially loved serving her Huntsville Presbyterian Church family as deacon, elder, choir member, VBS helper, Women’s Association (Treasurer for many years), Daily Bread, SS superintendent, SS teacher and working the Election Day Bazaar. Even though she moved to Logan Acres a year ago and was not able to worship with her friends, she continued to support the Church’s efforts and was kept “in the loop” by friends who called, wrote letters or stopped by for visits. And for that she was truly grateful.

Rev. Ben Beres will officiate a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at the Huntsville Presbyterian Church, 6490 Fruit Street, Huntsville, Ohio 43324. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service. Burial will be in Huntsville Cemetery in Huntsville.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Bellefontaine.