Elizabeth Gillespie Obituary

Elizabeth Ann (Archibald) Gillespie

Elizabeth Ann (Archibald) Gillespie passed away peacefully Monday, July 29, 2024, at Bridge Hospice Care Center with her family by her side.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Ralph; four children, Sherrie Holcombe, Terrie (Dave) Koziel, Cindy Hendricks, and Ralph (Lynn) Gillespie; grandchildren, Christopher Koziel, Colette (Bradd) Parish, Andrew (Jami) Koziel, Cody (Erin) Koziel, Cassie Cassady, LeeAnn (Douglas) Ludwig, Lisa (Joe) Scott, Kacey (Brett) Riley, Kathleen Vige, Kandi (Chammaro) Williams; sister-in-law, Colleen (Gillespie) Wollam; nieces and nephews, Mary (Wollam) Grimms, John Wollam, Michael Gillespie, Robert (Connie) Cook, Donna Rose Malone, Gene Abel, James Hahn, and Kathy Alford; and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, Drew Parish, Tyler Parish, Brooklynn Vining, Andrew B. Koziel, Aneila Sue Koziel, Landon Burno, Dawson Burno, Brynli Koziel, Julian Salazar Cassady, Cylus Peters, Jase Peters, Noah Lane, Madisyn Irvin, Piper Irvin, Katrina McElhaney, Karley Scott, Trinity Riley, Aiden Riley, Cameron Riley, Joseph Vige, Graecyn Vige, and Kairi Williams.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Edna (Stahl) Archibald; siblings, Rosa (Courtney) Abel Newton, William Archibald, and Dorothy (Archibald) Cook Craig; sons-in-law, Russell Holcombe and James E. Hendricks; nieces and nephews, Robert Gillespie III, Lynn (Wollam) Lilly, William Cook, Denny Cook, Joseph (Joyce) Cook, Thomas Abel, Don Abel, Edward Abel, Jenny Abel, and Pam Mull Warden.

She was born May 17, 1931, to Thomas E. and Edna (Stahl) Archibald. She graduated in 1949 from Bradner High School as class valedictorian. Ralph and Elizabeth were married Feb. 24, 1951. She worked as a deputy clerk of courts at Sandusky County Courthouse and worked at several car dealerships including Burstead in Fostoria and Lustine's and Lang's in Fairborn. In 1961, Ralph and Elizabeth moved back to Bradner and she became a full-time homemaker. Her cooking and baking skills were amazing. She also was handy with the sewing machine, making many of the clothes and costumes worn by her children. She loved traveling by sea, land, or air with special trips to Scotland, Panama Canal, Caribbean, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas.

Elizabeth was a life-time member of Bradner American Legion Auxiliary. She was also active with Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls in Bradner. Elizabeth and Ralph were co-owners and operators of the Country Club Roller Rink in Bradner. After moving to Findlay, she volunteered at Blanchard Valley Hospital in the gift shop.

Visitation for friends will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at Barndt Funeral Home, Wayne, with an auxiliary service at 5 p.m. Elizabeth's celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at the funeral home with Pastor Tamara Bennett officiating. Burial will be at Bradner Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Bridge Hospice Care in Findlay or Albert Bowe Post (338) of the American Legion in Bradner.

Online condolences can be sent to Elizabeth's family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.