M. Mildred Diefenthaler

M. Mildred Diefenthaler, age 88 of Sylvania, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2014 at the most wonderful place she could be for her journey to the end of life after nine weeks, Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. She was born on November 30, 1925. Mildred said her life began when she married Lester on October 15, 1948. Together, they made a difference when they opened their home to foster children providing a safe and loving place for them. Mildred was a Sunday school teacher for 30 years at Reformation Lutheran Church. She helped Lester in 1962 when they started Optical Arts where she managed the books and worked in the lab fabricating hard contact lenses. She was very proud to be able to send her two daughters to college. After Lester passed away in 1990, she moved next door to two of her grandchildren and nurtured them while her daughter, Mary worked in the family business. Even as they grew to adults, she had fun baking apple pies with Scott, and Christmas cookies with Kristen and her family. Mildred is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Lind; children, Janice Bill Ziegler and Mary Charlie Nyitray; grandchildren, Michael Ziegler, Kristen Jason Newberry, and Scott Nyitray; and great-grandchildren, Kyle and Amanda. Visitation will be Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 4-8:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where funeral services will begin on Friday at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Allen Township Cemetery in Williston, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Advent Lutheran Church, 6735 W. Sylvania Ave. Sylvania, OH 43560 or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.