Marie Goard, 99, of Ashland passed away Monday, January 11, 2016, at Hospice House in Ashland after a few months of declining health.

Marie was born April 20, 1916, in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio to Emil Eber and Elsie Grace (nee Todd) Kean, the fifth of eight children. She moved to Ashland when she was 2 years old, and became a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church. She married George B. Goard on July 20, 1936 in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Marie was an excellent homemaker, taking great pride in her immaculate home and marvelous cooking. She loved sharing time and food with her family and friends. She belonged to the same card club for seventy years and was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority. She was an active member of the Parent-Teacher Association and supported her children’s many activities. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren growing-up. Marie also enjoyed gardening, preserving food, reading, crocheting and sewing. She worked in retail many years and enjoyed helping customers, especially at the Home Company in the heart of Ashland. She and her husband looked forward to spending winters in Florida, which they did for many years. She loved walking and shelling along the beach.

Marie is survived by a son, George B. (Sondra) Goard, Jr. of Ashland; a daughter, Susan L. Vermilya of Ashland; six grandchildren: George E. Goard (Bunny Peters) of Cincinnati, Catherine (Cliff) Campbell of Ashland, Laura Vermilya (Holly Goring) of Columbus, David (Hollie) Vermilya of Polk, John (Angie) Vermilya of Jeromesville, Alan (Cathy) Vermilya of Loudonville; 16 great-grandchildren: Alyssa (Matt) Kemme, Jenna Goard, Taylor (Jordan) Dohner, Dylan Campbell, Heather Campbell, and Calvin, Cole, Caitlyn, Grace Marie, Corri, Mya, Emmy, Lainie, Maggie, Ella Marie, and Jayce Vermilya; a sister, Mabel Thompson of Ashland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband (2005); parents; brothers: George, John, Charles (infant); sisters: Edith Smith, Nena and Nina (infant twins).

A funeral service will be Friday, 1:00 p.m., January 15 at Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home, 313 Center Street, Ashland with Reverends Mike Namy and Tom Snyder officiating. Burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery. Friends may visit an hour before the service begins.

Memorial contributions may be made in Marie’s name to Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland OH 44805 or First United Methodist Church, 220 Sandusky St., Ashland OH 44805.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.
Words of comfort may be expressed online at www.denbowfh.com.

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