Mary Hursh

Mary Jane (Janie) Roof Hursh passed away at home on January 6, 2015, one day after her 81st birthday. Her children and her husband of 61 years were at her side.

Janie, as she was called by those who loved her, was born in Middletown, Ohio on January 5, 1934 to the late Beneville and Rosa (Reed) Roof. She graduated in 1952 from Middletown High School.

On June 20, 1953 she married her high school sweetheart, Clayton Hursh in Middletown, Ohio. The couple spent a year in Kalamazoo, Michigan before returning to Middletown and eventually settling in Bellefontaine to raise their family.

Janie’s children include her daughter Cheryl (Bob) Mitchell of Bellefontaine, and sons Charles (Deborah Wagy) Hursh of Bellefontaine and Christopher (Angela) Hursh of Cincinnati. She is also survived by six grandchildren; Bob Jr. (Laura) Mitchell, Christi (Wes) Dodds, Brooks (Ashley) Hursh, Jordan Hursh, LilyAna and Elizabeth Hursh. Janie was also great-grandmother to Laney and Blaine Mitchell. She is survived by her brothers Ben (Wanda) Roof and Dick (Becky) Roof, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Janie was a loving and generous spirit who always looked for ways to help others. An active member of First United Methodist Church, she served on the United Methodist Women and as Superintendent of Sunday School. Janie was a member of the Theda Circle of Kings Daughters and Sons, and the Bellefontaine Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Girl Scout leader and the Neighborhood Chairwoman for Appleseed Ridge Girl Scouts in the 1970s. She was also a volunteer for the Mary Rutan Hospital Guild for many years. She was a whiz at solitaire, an expert babysitter, and a skilled home cook.

A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Eichholtz, Daring, & Sanford Funeral Home, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine where Pastor Ed Beale will officiate along with Eastern Star services. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Burial will immediately follow at Bellefontaine Cemetery.