Susan Ammon
Susan Parrish Ammon passed away on Monday, August 5 at Lakes of Monclova surrounded by her family following a long illness.
Susan was the first child born to Marvin and Barbara Parrish on April 6, 1956, at the Toledo Hospital. During Susan’s early years, she lived on West Crest Drive and had a friend in almost every home in her neighborhood. When she was 12, her family moved to Ginger Trail in Sylvania Township, where Susan attended Burnham Junior High and Sylvania High School. During these years, Susan made many close friends and also acquired a lifelong passion for horseback riding.
During her high school years, Susan exhibited exceptional skill as a vocalist in the school’s acapella choir. Eventually, she performed as a vocalist, while accompanying herself on guitar, at the National Fine Arts Competition in Raleigh, N.C., and won the national title for female vocal solo. After graduating in 1974, Susan worked for Toledo Trust and subsequently joined her father’s company, Parrish Associates, which sold industrial radiant heating.
In 1983, Susan welcomed her son, Jonathan Blaine “JB” Walters, into the world, and her daughter, Elizabeth Jane “Liz” Walters, was born in 1985. Both JB and Liz were always the center of Susan’s life and brought her enormous joy for the remainder of her life. During the 1990s, Susan took over operations of her father’s business and formed Susan Parrish Associates. In 1999, Susan married the love of her life, Ron Ammon, aka her “Huckleberry.” During this period, Susan also found time to create and run a boutique named The Sisters’ Dream, comprised of Susan and two of her sisters.
In the early 2000s, Susan decided to make a major career change and in her 40s entered nursing school. Upon graduation from nursing school, she obtained a position as an RN in OB/GYN at the Toledo Hospital. While working there, she continued her education to obtain a BSN/MS with the hope of eventually becoming a nurse practitioner. Unfortunately, she was stricken with ovarian cancer in 2010, which she survived, but the medical treatment was harsh, and she simply did not have the energy to continue her education while simultaneously working as an RN, and she retired from nursing in 2015.
During retirement, Susan enjoyed pursuing her lifelong interest in gardening. She also began taking formal piano lessons, painting, reading and watching British detective stories on TV. She also was able to travel twice to Scotland and take a trip with Liz on the Hogwarts Express.
On New Year’s Day of 2022, Susan was dealt yet another bad hand. She was diagnosed with another type of cancer, which eventually resulted in her liver ceasing to function.
No life description of Susan would be complete without mentioning her extensive love of animals, especially her love of Scottish terriers. Nor would any description of Susan do her justice without noting that her smile was as big as her heart. People liked being around her – they just did.
Susan is survived by her beloved husband of 25 years, Ronald Ammon; her children, Jonathan (Arienne) Walters and Elizabeth (Chad) Walters; grandchildren, Camden, Everett and Shea Walters; mother, Barbara Parrish; brother, Jeff (Grace) Parrish; sisters, Cindy (Dutch) VanderVlucht, Kate Sarmento, Judi Wilkerson and Jackie (Chris) Beyer; sister-in-law, Marcia (Rick) Wade; brother-in-law, Brett Ammon; 26 nieces and nephews; and two of her beloved Scotties, Zelda and Krickette. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Parrish, Jr.; and her sister, Debi (Mark) Keller.
The family would like to thank the Lakes of Monclova staff and the Northwest Ohio Hospice staff for their loving care during Susan’s final days. Visitation and a celebration of life service took place on August 10 at Newcomer Funeral Home, Toledo.
Bernard Welniak, Jr.
Bernie (Bernie) Welniak, Jr., age 78, of Whitehouse, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, at Bridge Hospice Care Center in Bowling Green, of pancreatic cancer with his wife by his side.
Bernie was born on December 16, 1945 to the late Bernard and Mary (Zolciak) Welniak, Sr. and was raised in Toledo. He enlisted in the U.S Air Force and served in Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam. After he was discharged, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jendrzejak. They have been married for 56 years. They have resided in Whitehouse since 1973 and belong to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maumee. They enjoyed attending Mass at Lial Chapel with the Sisters of Notre Dame in Whitehouse.
Bernie was director of patient accounts at St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee for 28 years. He served two terms on the Village of Whitehouse Council and in 1992 served on the committee to prepare legislation for a charter form of government. He was past president of the former Whitehouse Area Recreation Corporation and was a member of Whitehouse American Legion Post 384. He recently received his 50-year membership award. He was also a member of the Maumee Elks Lodge 1850. Bernie has been a member of Barton Smith Lodge 613 since 1975, Fort Meigs Chapter 29, Toledo Council 33, Toledo Commander 007. He joined the A.A.S.R Valley of Toledo in 1975 and served as Sovereign Prince Northern Light Council Prince of Jerusalem. He is also a past member of St. Thomas Conclave-Red Cross of Constantine, Turkey Foot 253 A.M.D.
Bernie was the chairman for Fallen Timbers DeMolay Chapter and was a holder of the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor. In 2010, he was coronated a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason in Philadelphia, Pa. He joined the Zenobia Shrine Patrol in 1975 and was a member of the patrol drill team, a former marching unit traveling through the U.S. and Canada. He was president of the patrol in 1982, past president of the Great Lakes Shrine Patrol Association from 1986-87, served as potentate of Zenobia Shrine Center in 1993, past president of the Ohio Shrine Association from 1987-88 and chaired the annual Shrine Hospital Tabloid Promotion. He was an honorary member of a number of Shrine units and clubs and was a member of R.O.J. Court 21.
He loved to play euchre on Thursday nights with his friends at the shrine. Bernie and Dorothy traveled extensively, enjoying 17 cruises and many land trips. A highlight of their travels was a trip to the Orient in 1987. Bernie will be best remembered for his service to others, love of family and friends and selling Shrine Circus ads and tabloids.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and loving sister, Rita Kramer.
The family would like to thank the staff at Flower Rehab and Bridge Hospice in Bowling Green for their wonderful care. Thank you to Msgr. Charles Singler for coming when we really needed you. Also, Fr. Joe Steinbauer and Fr. Tom McQuillen for the many visits.
Friends and family will be received from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16, with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. followed by Scottish Rite in Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home in Maumee. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 17 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maumee, followed by interment in St. Joseph Cemetery in Maumee. Donations in his memory may be made to Zenobia Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, Zenobia Shrine Hospitals and Bridge Home Health and Hospice of Bowling Green. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.
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