Miriam E. Walton Case Eyestone, 87, died peacefully on Sunday evening, July 25, 2010, at the home of her daughter following several years of failing health.
Miriam was born in Wyandot County on May 18, 1923.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ward W. and Mary E. (Althouse) Walton, and her sister-in-law Laura (Snook) Walton. She is survived by her brother Dale (Maxine) Walton of Upper Sandusky.
Miriam is also survived by her five children: Diane (Richard) Mault, Marion, Steven (Dee) Case, Wirtz, Virginia, Christine (Jim) Brown, Marion, Cathi (Rich) Creviston, Prospect, and Mary Ann (Vern) Higginbotham, Marysville.
She was blessed with eleven grandchildren: Jeff (Jacquie) Ballard, Julie (Mike) Mattocks, Jodi (Scott) Bailey, Kelley Anne Wallace, Benjamin Segaard, Cari (George) Hinkle, Rebecca Williams, Cheri (Robb) Moser, Megan Higginbotham, Tammy Case, and Casi (Tim) Mathews. Miriam was lovingly known as “Gram” and “GiGi” to her twenty-one great grandchildren.
In April of 1943, Miriam married Russell Case who survives. They were married 29 years. In 1980, she married Robert Eyestone who died in 1987.
Raised in a farming family, Miriam quickly learned to be a great help to her father and inherited his love of working the land. Her formal education began in a one-room schoolhouse near the Indian Mill. She later attended Upper Sandusky City Schools and graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1941.
In 1950, Miriam and Russell moved to what is now the family farm located between Richwood and Prospect. Miriam worked hard taking care of her family and her home, and she was instrumental in the growth and success of the farm. For several years she was bookkeeper of the Walton-Case grain elevator in Richwood.
Miriam had a deep Christian faith which she generously shared as a member of the First United Methodist Church in Richwood and in later years as a member of Union-Salem Methodist Church outside Upper Sandusky. She selflessly gave her time as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, organized and directed countless children’s Christmas programs and never said “no” to any committee that requested her talents.
Miriam’s love of reading and sense of creativity made her a respected member of the literary club, Carpe Diem. Her membership included roles as secretary and president. Her fondest memories were presenting book reviews and generating program ideas with her close friends in the club.
Miriam was a very creative writer and poet. She had a poem for every occasion and nearly everyone who touched her heart. She assembled a cookbook in honor of her mother, authored a book about her father, researched and compiled genealogy information for her children and grandchildren, and penned “Miriam’s Memoirs.” For many years she kept her family connected with her unique newsletter aptly named the “Gram-A-Gram.”
Believing in the power of education, Miriam was a vital part of her daughter Cathi’s classroom at Elgin South Elementary nearly every day for eight years. She had her own desk in the back of the classroom and tutored the students on a personal one-on-one basis in any subject that required a touch of extra attention.
Miriam loved to travel and was proud to say she had visited every one of the fifty states. She really enjoyed having had the opportunity to travel to Scotland with members of her family. Her grandchildren will forever treasure the memories of times spent at the cottage at Lake Erie and trips to Ellis Lake.
The hard-working hands and generous heart of Miriam have come to rest, but she will be remembered always for her selflessness and her kindness. Of all the roles Miriam played in her life, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother were the ones that brought her the most joy and pride.
Family members will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion.
Services celebrating Miriam’s life will also be held at the funeral home on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Smithville Cemetery north of Upper Sandusky.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Richwood United Methodist Church or Union Salem Methodist Church in Upper Sandusky in honor of Miriam.
Condolences can be conveyed to the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
