Hilda B. Avery

Loved by all who met her and experienced her beautiful smile, Hilda B. Avery, age 98, passed away Wednesday morning, January 18, 2012, in the Genoa Retirement Village. Hilda was born December 22, 1913, to Monina and John Robert Tornow at their home in Williston, Ohio. She grew up in the Rocky Ridge area and was a 1932 graduate of Oak Harbor High School. Hilda held many jobs after high school, cleaning houses, working at Kresges in downtown Toledo, and waitressing at Averys Restaurant in Oak Harbor, where she met her husband-to-be. She married Donald Avery on February 22, 1941, and after Don returned from service in World War II, moved to Genoa, then settled in Elliston, where she was the Postmaster for 23 years until retiring in 1978. Hilda was a charter member of Post #8732 V.F.W. Auxiliary and a long time member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Elliston. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, latch hooking, and camping. After retirement, Hilda and Don traveled frequently in their Airstream trailer with the Wally Byam Airstream group and wintered in Arizona, Texas, and Florida, making many friends along the way. She was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan. She loved her Buckeye football! Two of her favorite places to meet with friends were Bob Evans in Northwood and Kozy Corners in Oak Harbor. She was cherished for her striking smile and gentle, fun-loving personality. Surviving Hilda are her daughters, Darla Charles Gackstetter of Willard, Missouri, Cheryl Clifford Kirk Avery of Damascus, Oregon, and Patricia Avery of Elmore, Ohio; daughterin-law, Frances Avery, Tennessee; grandchildren, Elizabeth Dale Nichols, Michael DeeDee Wirebaugh, Steven Wirebaugh, Kristi Wirebaugh, Vickie Tim Pesina, Kerrie West, Nathaniel Kristine Fastinger, Jeffrey Jennifer Fastinger; step grandchild, Heather Anthony Eccarius; many great grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, one step great-great grandchild, loving nieces and nephews, and extended family. Preceding her in death were her parents and step-father, William Zibbel; husband, Donald S. Avery Sr. son, Donald S. Avery Jr.; granddaughter, Donna Karen Avery; brothers, Harvey Maebelle Tornow, Clarence Hedwig Tornow, Norman DeloresTornow; sister, Henrietta AugustWilhelm; half- brother, Alfred Dorothy Zibbel; step brothers and sisters, Harold Sophie Zibbel, Art Frieda Zibbel, Irene Emery Base, and Wilma Emery Arndt. Visitation will be 12-8 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2012, at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. The funeral service will be conducted 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2012, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Elliston, Ohio, followed by interment in Elliston Cemetery. The family would like to thank the Genoa Care Center and all of its employees for the loving care they gave to Hilda. She loved all of you! Thank you to Hospice for their loving care. The family requests that memorials be given to either Hospice of Northwest Ohio or Trinity United Church of Christ.