Cecelia “CC” Mary Brown of Ney, 58, passed away after a hard fought battle with the effects of a stroke, on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee, Ohio. Cecelia was born June 12, 1958, in Defiance, Ohio, the daughter of George and Gertrude (Wisda) Schindler. She attended Tinora High School. Cecelia is survived by Bruce Brown married on June 29, 1974 at the Union Chapel Church, Bryan, Ohio, and he survives.
Cecelia was a longtime president of the Defiance County Genealogical Society having been a member since 1991. She was a member of the Ohio Genealogical Society, The First Families of Ohio, The First Families of Defiance County and the German Bohemian Heritage Society. She was a guiding force behind the annual Wisda and Schindler reunions having researched much of their family histories. It was important for her to share not only her family stories but also to see that future generations would appreciate the sacrifices of their ancestors. She was very patriotic and instrumental in beginning the Defiance Country Veterans Database. Being passionate about preserving history, Cecelia liked to preserve Defiance County history including the townships, one room schoolhouses and Auglaize Village.
Cecelia had served as president of the Fairview Athletic Boosters where she ran the football concession stand for many years. She also had been a member of the Fairview Music Boosters. She was a member of the Ney Ball Association where she also tended to the concession stand. She was known for her delicious chicken sandwiches at the concession stands. Always giving, Cecelia became a tissue donor through organ donation.
Cecelia could often be seen in black and gold attire while cheering on her children and grandchildren at Fairview sporting events. She enjoyed playing cards with her grandchildren, and babysitting for family and others was a joy for her.
Surviving Cecelia are her husband Bruce and children Susan (Russell) Zeedyk, Bruce, Jr., William “Billy” (Jasmine Cooper) all of Ney, Ohio and Robert “Bobby” (Sarell) of Bryan. Grandchildren are Rose Zeedyk, Russell Zeedyk Jr., Carrie Zeedyk, William Zeedyk, Grace Zeedyk. Jersey Cooper, Laci Brown, Charles Brown, Gavin Brown, Stella Brown, Lilah Brown, Amelia Brown, and one grandchild due in August. She is survived by her sisters Anna Margaret Seip, Ruth Ann Schofield, Caroline Fox and brothers George Schindler and Tom Schindler. Preceding her in death were her parents George and Gertrude, in-laws Merl and Phyllis Brown, brothers Donald and Joe and sister Marie.
Visitation for Cecelia Mary Brown will be held Thursday, May 25, 2017, from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry St., Bryan, Ohio. Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 9088 Openlander Road, Sherwood, Ohio with Pastor Eric Moquin officiating. Visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Ney Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial donations to Defiance County Genealogical Society, PO Box 7006, Defiance, Ohio 43512 or Fairview Athletic Boosters, Fairview High School, 06289 US 127, Sherwood, OH 43556.