Mary Catherine Caudill

Mary Catherine Caudill (nee Rice), 88, of Vermilion peacefully passed into the arms of her savior Jesus Christ Saturday, May 11, 2024, following a lengthy illness.

Born on Dec. 15, 1935, in Bowlingtown, Ky., Mary was called Catherine by her family and her friends, and “sweetyheart” by her late husband, Elisha Matthew Caudill.

She lived in Kentucky, Washington, Germany and Ohio during their 58 years of marriage. She resided in Elyria for more than 40 years before moving to Vermilion.

Catherine’s joy was her family, and served others with her gentle love, generosity  and unwavering faith. She was humble and grateful, a quiet and steadfast matriarch of a family that grew to six children and more than 40 descendants.

She found solace and community at A Fresh Wind Church in Elyria, where she was beloved. She loved to read, enjoyed flowers and birds, and was a wonderful cook, magically able to feed an army with whatever she had on hand.

Catherine was most content surrounded by family, and was known for her hospitality and gracious welcome. Perhaps her greatest power was rocking her grandbabies and singing to them songs passed down for generations.

Catherine held many jobs in her lifetime, including working alongside her husband as a machinist for 20 years at Assembly Specialties in Cleveland.

She is survived by her six adoring children: Alan (Debbie) Caudill of Sheffield; Connie (Don) Fiske of Painesville; Loreen (Mike) Payne of North Ridgeville; Sharon (Tom) Hurn of Wakeman; Teresa (Tim) Holt of Vermilion; and Rini (Scott) Jeffers of Vermilion.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, embraced by a vast family tree that includes grandchildren Sandra (Brian) Miller; Kate (Steve) Reisinger; Nichole (Jason) Brown; Laura (Scott) Schisler; Erica (Aaron) Steuerwald; Zach Hurn; Gabriel (Katie) Caudill; Cassady (Logan) Buchs; Tim (Nicole) Holt; Maddie (Zack Robinette) Holt; Josiah Holt; Carter Jeffers; Charlie Jeffers; Carrie (Paul) Dowling; Sandy (Shane) Novak; Stephanie Fiske; 31 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; two sisters and a brother.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Matthew; parents, Ira and Esta Mae (nee Smith) Rice; grandchildren, Zachariah T. Hurn and Michelle Payne; and five siblings.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at A Fresh Wind Church, 45155 Telegraph Rd, Elyria, OH 44035. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the same location, followed by interment at Maple Grove Cemetery in Vermilion.

Catherine’s sons-in-law, the Revs. Tim Holt and Mike Payne will officiate.

The family kindly requests memorial contributions to A Fresh Wind Church, 45155 Telegraph Rd., Elyria, OH 44035.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories can be shared online at www.riddlefuneral.com.