Mary Jean (Nixon) Bland

Mary Jean Bland, 92, of Crestline, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at her home in Crestline, Ohio, surrounded by her family.

Mary was born on October 28, 1929, in Athens, Ohio to the late Clifton and Nell (Fiddler) Nixon. In 1958, Mary would marry Walter Wilson Bland and he preceded her in death.

Mary was a longtime employee of Westinghouse in Mansfield, she would then work for Rosewood Nursing Home in Galion, and later manage the mobile home park in Crestline. She was longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Crestline. Mary had many talents and gifts she was able to share. She sang on WMAN radio station and had the honor to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. She loved to crochet, do puzzles, work crosswords play Euchre and Yatzee .and cheer on her Ohio State Buckeyes even though her favorite football player was John Elway. Most of all Mary enjoyed family gatherings and sitting her front yard and visiting with her special neighbors, Ken Davey and Stevie Bell.

Left to cherish her memories are her two children; Gary (Cindy) Bland of Crestline, and Connie (Roger) Burdge of Crestline; special family; Bill Eckenrode; four grandchildren; Jesse (Shannon) Thoman, Jamie Phillips, Rebecca Eckenrode and Kathy (Josh) Coccia; eight great-grandchildren; Noah Thoman, Olivia Thoman, Bently Bland-Corwin, Kassie Petrick, Jace Petrick, Kylee Bland, Steven Bland, and Alyssa Cottrell as well as numerous great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her daughter Cathy McMananma, and six brothers;Harry, Jack, Donald, Tom, Fred, and Ken Nixon.

Friends may call on Saturday February 26 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, Crestline. The funeral service will be held immediately following, with Chaplin Rick Utt of Avita officiating. Burial will follow at Mansfield Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or Disabled American Veterans.

Those wishing to share a memory of Mary or send a condolence to the Bland family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Mark A. Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 West Main Street, Crestline is honored to serve the family of Mary Jean Bland.

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