Mary Jo Pfenning, 79, of 241 N. Spruce Street in St. Marys, OH died 8:49 p.m. Friday in the emergency department of JTDM Hospital in St. Marys, following a sudden illness.

She was born April 22, 1932 in St. Marys, OH to William and Erma (Sprague) Suchland.

On October 2, 1952, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys, she married   J. Philip Pfenning, who died December 11, 2007.

She is survived by:

Son, John (Penny) Pfenning  of New Knoxville, OH

Son, Thomas (Julie) Pfenning  of New Bremen, OH

Daughter, Julie (Doug) Metz  of St. Marys, OH

Son, Michael Pfenning   of St. Marys, OH

3 grandchildren: Christopher (Sarah) Pfenning of New Knoxville, OH; Katie Jo Pfenning of New Knoxville, OH; Mitchell Pfenning of New Bremen, OH

2 great-grandchildren:  Airyah Jo & Makena Michelle Pfenning, both of New Knoxville, OH

Sister, Vonnalee Howick  of St. Marys, OH

Sister-in-law, Dorothy Pfenning  of St. Marys, OH

Brother-in-law, Robert Burke  of St. Marys, OH

Sister-in-law, Frances Suchland  of St. Marys, OH

Sister-in-law, Janet Suchland  of Trotwood, OH

She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Erma Suchland; husband, J. Philip Pfenning; infant son, Philip Pfenning; granddaughter, Michelle Pfenning; brother, Robert Suchland; brother, William Suchland; sister, Evelyn James.

She was a1950 graduate of Memorial High School in St. Marys.  She was a homemaker and had done catering for a number of years.  She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and American Legion Post # 323 auxiliary, both in St. Marys.  Her favorite pastimes included traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Funeral Rites are scheduled 11:00 a.m. Thursday November 17, 2011 at Miller – Long & Folk Funeral Home 314 W. High Street in St. Marys, with Deacon Greg Bornhorst, officiating. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery in St. Marys.

Visitation 4:30 – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home on High Street.