It is with heavy hearts and tearful smiles that we say goodbye to Sally Kay Oberkfell (Jaress), beloved mom, sister, grandma, great grandma and friend who left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior on August 12, 2025, at the age of 81.
Born on July 28, 1944 in Detroit, MI to Bill and Bonnie Jaress. Sally was a woman of unwavering faith and endless love, and her legacy is etched into the hearts of everyone who knew her.
To us, she wasn't just a grandma; she was a force of nature. We'll forever remember the stories of her big trucks. She had a spirit of adventure that was contagious, and that she taught her granddaughters that a woman could do anything she set her mind to. She also had the best-smelling kitchen in the world, and her famous gumdrop cookies were a holiday tradition no one could resist. The secret ingredient, of course, was the love she baked into every single one.
But above all else, Sally will be remembered for the size of her heart, especially when it came to children. She dedicated her life to nurturing and guiding young minds, whether she was teaching in the classroom, volunteering at Epworth United Methodist church, or simply reading to the kids. Her passion was a gift she shared freely, and countless children are better for having known her.
Her family was her world. She leaves behind her dear Sisters Virginia (Richard) Burd of (Homewood, IL); and Marilyn Jaress of Sun City West, AZ; her loving sons Robert (Andrea) Balch of Midland, MI; Bradley (Felicia) Balch of Columbus, OH; Melissa (Mark) Briggs of Luckey, OH; her adoring grandchildren, Robert Briggs (Nicole), Stephanie (Phillip) Frasure of Oregon, OH; Crystal (Megan) Briggs of Rossford, OH; Victoria (Drew) Howson of Midland, MI; Ian Balch of Midland, MI; Melina Balch of Columbus, OH; and Bradshaw Balch of Columbus, OH; and her two great-grandchildren, Everleigh & Dawsyn Howson. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Harry G. Oberkfell, whom she married in May 1995 till he went to be with the Lord on October 7th, 2001 and her adoring parents Bill (Bonnie) Jaress.
In accordance with Sally's wishes, she has been cremated, and no funeral service will be held at this time. To honor her memory, as a breast cancer survivor, donations can be made to Susan G Komen Foundation. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Otterbein Sunset Village for their compassionate care to both Walker Funeral and Toledo Memorial Park for their assistance and to everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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