Audrey Elwonger

EAST PALESTINE — Audrey Elwonger, 96, of East Palestine, died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at Windsor House at Parkside Health Care Center, Columbiana.

She was born on Sept. 17, 1929, in New Waterford, daughter of the late Willis and Helen Bevington Gotthardt.

Audrey was an avid East Palestine Bulldog Fan having reserved seats for over 70 years to all the basketball and football games. She loved her dogs dearly and enjoyed talking with people about them and finding out about other people’s pets.

Before retirement she was an executive secretary for Columbiana Boiler Company for 36 years. After the passing of her loving husband of 35 years, David Harland Elwonger, she came out of retirement to take over the floral business, Elwonger Florist, that she operated for more than 30 years.

Audrey is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Piepenbrink; two nephews, Paul (Luann) Kraus and Steven (Pam) Kraus, all of East Palestine; also, many great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Reynolds, and a niece, Sharyn Pickens.

A private funeral service will be held.

Burial will take place at Glenview Cemetery, East Palestine.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Parkside Health Care, Dr. Demidovich, and Sanctuary Hospice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine.

10/17/25