Mildred "Millie" Karper
1925-2017
Mildred "Millie" Karper, 91, of Ashland, passed away Tuesday evening, January 17, 2017 at Kingston of Ashland.
Born February 6, 1925, in Ashland, she was the daughter of Odairel "Buck" and Mae Young Spafford and was a 1943 graduate of Ashland High School.
Millie enjoyed organizing the AHS Class of 1943 class reunions for many years while keeping scrapbooks of her classmates, from the 1940's up until 2016, when she became blind, at which time she gave strict instructions to her daughter to carry on the trait.
Her and her late husband, Jack, enjoyed many trips together on their Indian Chief motorcycle, in the 1950's, traveling with friends to Daytona Beach, FL in March of year, along with many trips throughout the United States in their retirement years.
Millie was a member of the Ashland Chapter No. 92, Order of Eastern Star and was employed at F.E. Myers and The Garber Company, as an office employee, until 1962, when she became a stay-at-home mother while volunteering as a library aide at Osborn Elementary school in the 1970's.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marcy and Jim Doyle, of Ashland and one granddaughter, Lauren Doyle, of Ashland, who she was very proud of.
Millie is also survived by her sister-in-law, Fran Karper Bahr of Ashland, along with nieces and nephews Ron (Carol Long) Buxton of Nampa, ID, Nedra (Tom) Lautzenhiser of West Salem, Tim Buxton of Canton, OH, Paul (Pam) Karper and Tony (Janet) Karper of Ashland, Pam (Bruce) Raubenolt of Jeromesville, Mindy Spafford (Bob) McKenna and Matt (Samantha) Spafford, of Crestline, OH.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, on July 5, 2009, her brother-in-law, Ned Karper, on December 1, 1966 and her brother, Marvin Spafford.
Per Millie's wishes, there will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at a later date when she will be laid to rest with her late husband, Jack, at Ashland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice, in Millie's name.
Millie lived a good long life, in her own home, up until the age of 91 and was very happy with that accomplishment. She suffered from losing her eyesight, but knew the voices of those that cared for her, up until the day before she passed away. Her family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the aides and nurses of the 300 Hall of Kingston of Ashland for their care given to "Miss Millie" this past year.
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