Mary Grummel

Mary Ellen Grummel (Rahm), 80, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully June 9, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Mary was born July 18, 1945, with beautiful blue eyes and rosy cheeks, to Lawrence and Corinne (Hauck) Rahm. The oldest of six marvelous children - Pat, Larry, Jerry, Ken, and Kathy - she grew up in Toledo in a close family filled with laughter, practical jokes, and memories.

A Central Catholic High School graduate, Mary earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from The University of Toledo and spent more than thirty years as an early education teacher at Cherry School and later Beverly School. Each year, she shared the wonder of monarch butterflies with her students, raising and releasing them as a beautiful reminder of growth, change, and possibility.

On August 5, 1967, Mary married her high school sweetheart, James Grummel Sr. Together, they built a life rooted in love, loyalty, and family, raising two wonderful children, Jim Jr. and Wendi. Nothing made Mary happier than having her family - especially her grandchildren, Julia, Brittani, Derrion, and Jay - gathered around a table of delicious food.

Mary worked full-time while raising her family and later helped operate Group IV Expediting with Jim Sr., always making sure her family had what they needed. She enjoyed boating, camping, Metroparks walks, YMCA summers swimming with her children, the Ann Arbor Art Fair, cards, Rummikub, elegant flowers, holiday decorating, Elvis, Snoopy, and Bob Seger - the only road-trip music that everyone could agree on.

Mary had a gorgeous smile that lit up every room, a caring nature, and a personality all her own. She liked things a certain way and had expressions that said more than words. Those who knew and loved her will forever remember all the little things that made her unmistakably Mary.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Jim Sr.; her beloved brother, Ken; and her parents, Corinne and Larry, whose love for their children and grandchildren was steadfast.

She is survived by her siblings, Pat (Joe) Rudski, Larry Rahm, Jerry (Donna) Rahm, and Kathy Rahm; her son, Jim (Nicole) Grummel Jr.; her daughter, Wendi Furlong; her grandchildren, Brittani Furlong (Keith Wampler), Julia Grummel (Matt LeForce), Derrion Grummel, and Jay Grummel (Joshua Lyphout); and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, former students, and dear friends.

Mary Ellen - Only 80 years young. We are so grateful to have shared in your life and to hold so many treasured memories of you in our hearts. Tah-Tah, for now.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 2, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home & Crematory - Sylvania, with a service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Cherry St. Mission and H.O.O.V.E.S. of Swanton.

A letter to Mom by Jim Grummel Jr:

Dear Mom,

I missed you today. I am struggling to write this eulogy. You always seemed to know what to say. How do you squeeze the essence of someone so special into a few words?

We could start with the facts like you were born in Toledo, OH, in 1945, the oldest of six. You graduated from Central Catholic, received a Bachelor's degree from UT, married Dad (I think that might have qualified you for sainthood...ha-ha, jk), later receiving a M. Ed. from UT as well. I could write about the fact that you were an elementary school teacher (another checkmark on that sainthood application :) for over 30 years, spending most of that teaching little ones at Cherry School, followed by a tour at Beverly School. A lifetime of achievements summed up in a paragraph, and it doesn't come close to describing who you really were.

I guess I could write about you as a mom. I could say that you were a perfect mom, but we both know that isn't true. That would be like saying you raised perfect kids, but EVERYBODY knows that's not true. Stop laughing, Mom; it's time to get serious! I miss your laugh.

I know, I could write about how you raised Wendi and me. How you worked full time and still took care of your family. Whatever we needed, you provided. You would probably dismiss that as "all in a day's work," but we could spend our lifetimes trying to figure out a way to properly say Thank You!

Come on, Mom. We have to wrap this up. The tears are coming, and you know that I make an ugly cry face. We are still missing that essence. Like how your beautiful blue eyes lit up a room. Or that your laugh was infectious. Speaking of that, I asked Jeanne to write the genealogy that will come at the end of your obituary. We decided to call it a "Jeanne-ealogy." I know you just laughed at that.

Honestly, I don't know if I could ever truly capture the person you were into words. Those who knew you have all those pieces in their hearts and in their memories. Thank you for leaving all of us with those. I know I will treasure them always. Please say hi to Dad for us. We miss you both so much.

I Love You,

-your son