Miriam M. Pape, age 94, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family. She worked in a flashlight factory during World War II, raised and dressed poultry and later worked at Beam Stream in Maintenance for 20 years.
After retirement, she and her husband spent 14 years wintering in Florida. Miriam was the best fish filleter around. She always waited for the guys to bring her a mess of fish to clean and fry. She also decorated wedding cakes for friends and family. She meticulously made custom baton twirling outfits for a young lady from Montpelier. She took pride in doing the Christmas decorations and hand made banners for the club house where activities were held when they were in Florida.
Miriam was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She was previously a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Montpelier where she taught Sunday School, was involved in the Ladies Circles, decorated for holidays and took her Luther League students to other churches so they could see other religions.
Born January 11, 1925 at home in Fulton County, Miriam was the daughter of Adam and Oscea (Gearig) Britsch. She graduated from Pettisville High School where she played first chair trumpet in the band and pep band, was Valedictorian of her graduating class and was class Secretary and Treasurer. On August 21, 1947 she married Henry J. “June” Pape in Wauseon and he preceded her in death on February 17, 2014.
Miriam is survived by her children, Nancy Somers, of Bryan, John (Debra) Pape, of Montpelier and Deb (Butch) Carros, of Vermillion, Ohio; grandchildren, Aimee Rau, of Bryan, Tim Pape, of Medina, Ohio, Andy Pape, of Columbia, South Carolina and Logan Pape, of Montpelier; great grandchildren, Alexis (Tyler) Skulina, of Tempe, Arizona and Nate Rau, of Columbus, Ohio and her former grandson-in-law, Kevin Rau, of Bryan. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Herman and Melvin Britsch.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 25, 2019 from 2:00-6:00 P.M. at Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in the funeral home at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Peter Paige officiating. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Pettisville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Wesley United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels or Community Health Professionals Hospice.