FAYETTE – Mary Ellen Colegrove, age 75 of Fayette, passed away early Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Fulton County Health Center.
She was born in Wauseon on August 16, 1947, to the late Ray and Nellie (Stites) Merillat. She married John Colegrove, and they recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.
When Mary grew up, she wanted to be a mom and she did just that with all she had as her children’s constant support.
Through ups and downs, she and John demonstrated loyalty and commitment to family and thoroughly enjoyed life as grandparents once their kids’ started families of their own.
She was their number one fan and didn’t spoil them but “loved them well”. When she thought her heart could not experience greater love she was promoted to great grandma and soaked in every second.
A dog lover through and through her beagles Daizy Raye, Maggie, and Scruffy held a very special spot in her heart.
Known and loved by family and friends alike as “Grama Sweetie”, Mary spread the love she had for her family in her at home daycare for many years “raising” countless Fayette kids who remained “her kids” any time she saw them till the end.
She was Grama to all wherever she went whether it was volunteering at the school, watching Fayette Eagle events, or at family gatherings with her nieces and nephews.
Good chance if you knew Mary, you knew her hugs. If you’ve been wrapped in one of her hugs you won’t soon forget it. They were her best medicine and her lasting legacy.
A seamstress since 4H, she sewed for her kids and was the go-to when things needed fixing. Mary was an avid reader and lover of all things Christmas even insisting on Joy to the World as her funeral song.
Trips to Kentucky, visiting over coffee, or playing cards she loved company and the companionship of dear friends and family.
Her sense of humor and lighthearted nature were infectious and often left you shaking your head. To know her truly was to love her.
Surviving is her husband John; children, Ryan Colegrove (Brenda Przepiora), Amy (Todd) Mitchell, and Robyn (Rodney) Bingman all of Fayette, Grandchildren Hunter (Katie) Colegrove, Zayne Colegrove (Lauren Woodring), Tharyn Colegrove, Caden Colegrove (Emma Shuman), Quinn, Wyatt, and Willow Mitchell, Noah and Gracee Bingman (Sean Davis); bonus grandchildren Zachary Geis, Chelsey (Colin) Richardson; Great Grandchildren Tinley Woodring, Audrey Colegrove, and Nellie Colegrove; Sister Jane Merillat (Mac), Sister Helen Rashley, Brother Rick (Deb) Merillat, and Sister in law Joyce Merillat, Sister and brother in law Marge and Fred Shadbolt, Brother and sister in law Jeff and Joyce Colegrove, half-sister in law Connie Vinton.
Along with her parents, Ray and Nellie, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ed Merillat, brother-in-law, Jeff Rashley; father and mother-in-law, Leslie (Bus) and Virginia Colegrove; brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Barb (Colegrove) Schaffner; sister-in-law, Sherry (Colegrove) Smith; and her four-legged children, Daizy Raye, Maggie, and Scruffy.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Eagle-Marry Funeral Home in Fayette, from 2:00 – 7:00 PM. Funeral services will also be held at the funeral home, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 10:30 AM. The Rev. Dr. Robin Carden will officiate. Cremation will follow.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.eaglemarryfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be given to Fayette Athletic Boosters.
The Eagle-Marry Funeral Home in Fayette has been entrusted with arrangements.