Marian Elizabeth Koontz Romich

1917 - 2011

Creston, Ohio – Marian Elizabeth (Koontz) Romich, 93, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, surrounded by loving family. Marian was born December 24, 1917 in Toledo, Ohio to Rhea (Myers) and E.E. Koontz. The family moved to Beulah Beach on the shore of Lake Erie where she graduated from Vermilion High School. In 1939, Marian received her B.A. degree from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. Upon graduation she began teaching music and history at Creston High School. Later, Marian would teach elementary school in the North Central School District until 1984.

She married Benjamin “Ben” Ault Romich, Jr. on December 29, 1942. The couple celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this past year.

Marian was a member of the Creston and Jackson Presbyterian Churches, Presbyterian Women’s Guild, and the Creston Book and Music Club. Marian enjoyed her years of Bible Study Fellowship. After her retirement, Marian remained active in the community. Her volunteer work included teaching in the Adult Basic Education Program and helping with Mountain Mission.

Music and history were enduring interests. An accomplished musician, Marian served as church organist and pianist, and taught privately. Her interest in history inspired travel with her husband, friends and family throughout the U.S. and Europe. The family also enjoyed camping.

In addition to her husband Ben, Marian is survived by four children, Barry of Wooster, Tom of New York City, Lynn (Arthur) Hershberger of Wooster, and Philip (Beth) Romich of Wadsworth; and six grandchildren. Marian was preceded in death by her brother, Richard E. Koontz.

Marian’s family wishes to thank their many friends for their assistance during her time of declining health.

Memorials may be made as an act of kindness or as a donation to an organization of one’s choice in Marian’s name.

Click here for "The Trip of a Lifetime", the remarks of Rev. Alice Phillips at Marian's funeral. (330K .pdf file) Funeral service program.

Tom, Phil, Ben, Lynn, Barry

We miss Marian, but have been saying goodbye for the years of her Alzheimer's journey. We are happy for her and believe that she is in a far better place now. Since her passing, we have enjoyed the contacts from so many family and friends with photos and stories of how Marian touched their lives. We invite you to contribute your own, either by post (Ben Romich, 13875 Cleveland Road, Creston, OH 44217) or by email to webmaster Barry (bromich@aol.com), Tom (tomromich@gmail.com), Lynn (ahersh@sssnet.com) or Phil (promich@bright.net).

Ben has a Presto email account (RomichFarm@presto.com). If you wish to send photos and text to him that way, you will need to become an authorized sender. Ask Barry about this. (For those of you with non-computer family or friends, we have found the Presto system to be good for us.)

 

Below are photos that were on display during calling hours and funeral.

1919

Father E.E. Koontz - brother Richard - Marian

The Beulah Beach house had a view of Lake Erie.
The beach was a short walk.

Click here for a Google Earth view.

Marian (middle) with
Ruth and Genevieve Dilgart

14 years old

In a dress she made herself

1937 at Asbury College Seminary Picnic

Marian - Sarah-Winfrey - Dell
Asbury College Friends

1940 - Vermilion Lagoons

At the Farm

Ben, Marian, Patty and Nelson Gordon at Beulah Beach.
(Probably Barry and Sid in the background)

~ 1949 at the farm

~ 1950 at the house in Creston

1965 Burbank Kindergarten Class

A Habitat Discovery Garden has been established at the Norwayne Elementary School where Marian's daughter Lynn Hershberger teaches second grade. A founding grant from the Prentke Romich Company Board of Directors started the Marian Romich Habitat Discovery Garden Endowment to support ongoing maintenance and success of this learning environment. (Aerial photos of the school construction.)

1984

Spring 1986 - Asbury College Classmates

With Andrew

With Todd

Todd, Andrew, Joshua, Hannah

American Gothic

Jennie, Sharon, Marian, Katie

Lynn, Tom, Phil, Barry

Stonehenge 1992

With Andrew and Todd

Marians Cronowalt and Romich

Linlithgo, NY
(Tom and Max's country place)

With Lynn and Phil

Linlithgo Porch

From Donna and David (Eugene to us) McIlvaine:
Marian loved to go for a ride in the car. She didn’t want to stop anywhere, just keep going. One time recently when we went with Ben and Marian to Linlithgo, New York we drove all day, about eight to ten hours. We finally arrived and got unloaded at our destination when Marian asked “Can we go for a ride now?”

Accidental Twins
Niece Kris Swartz at McKelvey Home


Click here to view photos taken by Mary Hobratsch at the open house following the funeral.

More photos and stories are welcome.
Send to bromich@aol.com or by post to
Ben Romich, Jr., 13875 Cleveland Rd., Creston, OH 44217

 

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