Mary Johnson Obituary

Mary Ellen Johnson

Aug 30, 1939 - Jan 7, 2025

Sandusky

Mary Ellen (Eckler) Johnson, 85, residing in Sandusky, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 7, 2025, at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1939, in Sandusky to the late Earl and Dorothy (Hiss) Eckler Sr.

Mary Ellen graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1957. On November 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, Tom, who she met while walking home from school. They were happily married for 55 years, until God took him home in 2013. She worked at Ohio Bell, Neizers, Grant Store, Farohs Candy and Goofy Golf, where she truly enjoyed the little ones who came in from all over the world. She loved people and was a social butterfly, always had an ear to listen. Mary Ellen was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She and Tom visited the Shrine of the most Blessed sacrament "Our Lady of The Angels" in Alabama, which they enjoyed immensely. Grandma, also known as Nana, loved to bake and cook for her family and would often share her cooking with neighbors and friends. She enjoyed church, watching soap operas, game shows and Ohio sports teams, doing puzzles and visiting her four children, all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren especially as they gathered around her pool in the summertime. She always said yes to babysitting her special grandbabies.

Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters, Debbie (Tom) McGory of Castalia and Sherry (Doug) Priestas of Sandusky; sons, Thomas (Stephanie) Johnson Jr. of Sandusky and David (Amber) Johnson of Sandusky; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ann Wollf of Lima and Jacqueline (Cletus) Steinmetz of Shelby; brother, Earl (Kathy) Eckler Jr. of Sandusky; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen is preceded in death by husband, Thomas A. Johnson Sr.; great-grandson, Thomas James Christman; and sister, JoAnne Poggiali.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2025, at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Prayers will be recited at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home Tuesday, January 14, 2025, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky, with the Rev. Prashanth Kumar presiding. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky.

Those wishing to contribute to Mary Ellen's memory may do so to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave. Sandusky, Ohio 44870 or Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior Street Sandusky, Ohio 44870.

The family of Mary Ellen would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Keller and the staff at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.