Mary Cross Obituary

Mary Ellen Cross

Mary Ellen Cross, 95, of Arlington, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Circleville. Mary was born October 21, 1930, in Arlington, to the late Harvey and Hazel Essinger. A 1948 graduate of Arlington High School, post-graduation, she pursued vocational training as a secretary and briefly attended Bliss College in Columbus, Ohio. She began her career at General Telephone Company in Arlington. She married Edward Cross on July 26, 1954, at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Arlington. The couple moved to Central Ohio, where she worked for five years in the office of the General Electric Service Shop before leaving to become a full-time homemaker when her oldest daughter was born.

Mary was a loving mother to her two daughters, not returning to work until they were both in high school, when she became the office administrator at Living Christ Lutheran Church in Columbus, where she worked for 17 years. She was a devoted Christian and a member of Living Christ, where she led the women's Bible study for several years, even after returning to Arlington after retirement. Christian service was a central part of her life, and she was a role model to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, exemplifying what it meant to share Christ's love with the world. After retirement, she dove into volunteer work with a passion, also leading a women's Bible study class at Good Hope and becoming a long-serving member of the church's quilting group, helping put together countless quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She was also a long-time election poll worker and volunteered for several years at Arlington Elementary Library.

During her 64-year marriage, she enjoyed going on numerous adventures with her husband. The couple were members of Christian Motorcycle Club, went on numerous cruises and visited all fifty states as well as Jamaica. One of the couple's yearly highlights was their trip to Hilton Head Island. In her free time, Mary enjoyed crocheting afghans, teaching her granddaughters how to sew, reading Christian novels, and working on word puzzles.

She is survived by her two daughters, Valerie Cross of Circleville and Pamela Cross of Sylvania; grandchildren, Christy (Andrew) Mesaros-Winckles, Kellye (Eric) Moretti, Jessica (Jai) Pattapu, and Amy Grills; along with seven great-grandchildren, Gold'Ann, William and Harvey Winckles, Mackenzie Gillilan, Madeleine Moretti, and Edward and Eoin Pattapu.

Funeral service for Mary Ellen will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at CRATES FUNERAL HOME, Arlington, where family will receive friends from noon Monday until time of service. Burial will follow at Arlington Cemetery.

Donations can be made in her memory to Hancock County Right to Life or a charity of your choosing.

Online condolences can be expressed to family by visiting coldrencrates.com.