BLUTHARDT, Zella Lou, age 83, longtime resident of Troy, Ohio, and frequently visited with family and friends in the Wheeling area, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at SpringMeade Health Center, Tipp City, Ohio.
She was a loving daughter and sister, a devoted wife and mother, a favorite aunt, and a special friend. Her sweet spirit was a blessing to all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Bluthardt; parents, Ensel A. and Olive G. (Shriver) Metz; one brother, Ensel A. Metz, II; and one sister, Thelma L. Robinson.
Survivors include her son, Mark W. Bluthardt of Troy; daughter, Olive D. Wagar of Troy; three sisters and a brother-in-law: Donna Metz, Beulah and Edmund Stelmach, and Shirley Wolodkin all of Wheeling, West Virginia; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Roger and Darlene Metz of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Masako Metz of Surprise, Arizona; three grandchildren: Joseph Wagar of Austin, Texas, Lisa Wagar of Searcy, Arkansas and Bethany and Bryan Welborn of Jackson, Tennessee.
She was loved by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Florida, New York, Michigan, Texas, and Mississippi.
Zella was born on January 14, 1929 in Beech Bottom, West Virginia.
She was a 1947 graduate of Wellsburg High School where she played on the girls' basketball team. She was very proud of her West Virginia heritage and always looked forward to visits with family and friends. She diligently collected information and wrote two volumes of family history.
Zella treasured the memories of time spent with her grandchildren.
Zella was well known for her many acts of kindness and compassion, especially sending cards with her favorite Bible verses: Numbers 6:24-26, "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace."
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Mid-County Church of Christ, Troy, Ohio.
Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Troy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, P.O. Box 502, Troy, Ohio 45373 or Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp, 13500 Fort Hill Road, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
Friends may express condolences to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.
