Bertha "Birdie" M (Barga) Axe

Bertha May (Birdie) Axe, age 83, of St. Marys, passed away on Thursday, October 8th at Otterbein, St. Marys.  She was born on March 31, 1937, in Versailles, Ohio, to the late Cletus and Mabel (Couchot) Barga.  On May 5, 1955, she married Thomas Axe, who passed away on February 11, 1999. 

She is survived by children:  Tom & Sharon Axe, St. Marys, Jerry Axe, St. Marys, Deb & Mike Kittle, Celina, Steve & Carol Axe, St. Marys, Jim Axe, St. Marys, Carol Freeman, Lima, Denny & Cindy Axe, Celina, Tracy & Rick Schmitz, Maria Stein, and Rick & Jenny Axe, Moulton, and one brother,  Cletus Jr. and Norma Barga, Caneyville, Kentucky.  Birdie has 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a dear friend, Walt Dembec, Mercer, Pennsylvania, and sisters-in-law, Rita Miley, Pauline Axe, and Bobbie Axe, of St. Marys.  

She is preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Theresa Axe, and brothers-in-law, Frank and Patrick Axe of St. Marys, and a sister-in-law, Sue Barga of Caneyville, Kentucky.

Birdie attended Mount St. Mary’s Convent in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.  Being a strong follower of God, she was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Marys, through which she was an active member of the ladies’ sodality.  She volunteered for Hospice, and she generously volunteered her time and efforts to helping others in need.  She enjoyed the Red Hatters, traveling, gardening, and cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

Due to the health concerns of COVID-19, Mass of Christian Burial, with regards to social distancing, will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Marys, Fr. Alex Witt officiant.  Burial will follow in the Gethsemane Cemetery in St. Marys. 

 Friends may call, with masks please, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 12, at the Miller Funeral Home1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys.  The mass will be livestreamed from the Holy Rosary Parish Website at holyrosarychurch.us. Contributions can be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Parish/School.

Condolences may be sent to Birdie’s family via Mill