Gladys W. Lenhart

Gladys W. Lenhart (nee Pola), 89 of Vermilion, passed away on March 7, 2004, under the compassionate care of the staff of The Inn at Chappel Creek and New Life Hospice. She was born January 21, 1915 in W. Wilmerding, PA. She graduated from Union High School in Turtle Creek, PA in 1934. She was employed at the Fort Pitt Hotel in Pittsburgh when she met her future husband. She and her husband Col. Harry A. Lenhart were married on Sept. 5, 1935 in West Virginia. From the time of their marriage until the beginning of WWII they lived first in Mt. Lebanon, PA, then Avon Lake, OH, and finally in Champaign, Ill. Following the war they moved to Germany living in Stuttgart and Bremen, Germany and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Mrs. Lenhart moved to Vermilion with her husband and family in 1949. Mrs. Lenhart was a 66-year member to the Green Tree Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in Pittsburgh, PA; the Buckeye State Unit 8 of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary; and life member of the Military Offices Association of America. She was widely known to many Vermilion voters for her 32-year service as a Board of Elections clerk. She was honored for her service by a certificate of appreciation from the State of Ohio. In addition, she worked for many years as a waitress, first at Okagi's Restaurant and then at the well-known McGarvey's Restaurant. She was an avid bowler for over 35 years and participated in water aerobics until she was 84. She enjoyed sports, gardening, cooking, and knitting. Mrs. Lenhart is survived by three children; Daughters, Mrs. Linda Sopko of Vermilion, OH, and Ms. Jacklyn Parsons of Newport, RI; Son, Harry Lenhart Jr. of Lake Oswego, OR , Sister, Florence Trabucco of Monroeville, PA; Brother, Henry Pola of Ormond Beach, FL 9 Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years Harry A. Lenhart in 1996; twin infants John and Nancy; sister Stella Dunsworth, brother, Joseph Pola, and parents, John and Katherine (nee Balawajder) Pola. Friends may call Wednesday, March 10, 2004 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion. Prayers will be said at the funeral home on Thursday March 11, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Catholic Church, Vermilion. The Reverend Phillip Feltman, pastor of St. Mary�s Catholic Church, Sandusky will officiate. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. Contributions may be made to the Cleveland Chapter Alzheimer Association, 12200 Fairhill Rd., Cleveland, OH 44120; or New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Rd. Elyria, OH 44035.