Mary Lorine Bruner
Mary Lorine Bruner, 90, of Springfield, passed away Friday morning, January 9, 2009 in the Eaglewood Care Center. She was born December 17, 1918 in Waycross, Georgia, the daughter of Daniel Martin and Mary V. (Williams) Smith.
Despite a successful business career, Mary's heart was set on children. To that end, she entered Wittenberg University where she received her degree and began teaching in the Northeastern School District. During her thirty-one years of elementary teaching, she continued going to university receiving several advanced degrees, from the University of Dayton, Miami University and Wright State University. She nearly finished her Doctorate work except her thesis. Mary was the first Northeastern teacher selected as a Martha Holden Jennings Scholarship Honor Program for exemplary teaching. She also pioneered several classroom programs at Northridge School, notably in the field of reading. Mary worked on numerous educational committees at both the local and county level.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Villari of Columbus; granddaughter and her spouse, Andrea Knoch and Seth Oakley of Columbus; sisters-in-law, Lilya Mae Smith of Waycross, Ga., Louise Smith S. Carolina and, Virginia Kuck of California; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years, Frederick D. Bruner on December 12, 2008 and her five brothers, Dan, Bill, Rhymer, Fred and Jack Smith.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME where funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Bill Yowler officiating. Burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery.
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