Madeleine Wilhelm
Madeleine Bretz Wilhelm, age 97, of New Waterford, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, September 23rd at Windsor House Parkside where she had been a resident for 5 weeks.
Madeleine is the daughter of the late Edward and Esther Bretz, and the widow of Norman E. Wilhelm. She has 3 children: Gary & wife, Kathy, nee Kuhlman, who reside in Bloomington, Mn.; Mark and wife, Laura, nee Mamis, who live in Chicago, Illinois; and Trisha who lives in Auburn Twp., Ohio with her husband, Thom Martinek. She boasts of 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandsons.
Madeleine was born and raised in New Waterford, Ohio. She raised her own family on the same street that she grew up on. She graduated from New Waterford High School in 1938 as class Valedictorian.
Madeleine was always active in her community. Her involvements included the Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girl organizations. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, New Waterford, where she was the organist for 58 years. Before becoming ill, she last played for services there on August 6, 2017. Madeleine also enjoyed participating monthly with the Knotty Ladies, a group of local church women who make quilts and send them to anyone who is in need. In years past, she greatly enjoyed playing for church services and sing-a-longs at the previous Convalescent Center in Salem, OH. She was an active member of the Columbiana Christian Women organization.
Since the early 1960’s, Madeleine taught piano to many who lived in New Waterford and the surrounding area. Although everyone remarked about what an excellent teacher she was, few of her students were aware that she attended & graduated from The St. Louis Music Conservatory at Washington University.
She was retired from the previous New Waterford Bank where she worked as bookkeeper for over 22 years.
Madeleine was loved and respected by all. Her gentle and guiding presence will be missed.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 30th at Zion Lutheran Church, 11 a.m., with Pastor Kari Lankford officiating. Calling hours will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at the New Waterford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.
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9/26/17