Edith R. Backs

Edith R. Backs, age 86, of Coldwater, died on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at Briarwood Village, Coldwater. She was born March 29, 1931 in Celina, Ohio to the late Andrew and Catherine (Weber) Johnsman. On June 26, 1954 she married Charles Backs at Immaculate Conception, Celina, and he died January 16, 2016. She is survived by seven children, Mark & Linda Backs of Cardington, Anne & Mark Gruss of Coldwater, Joe & Jackie Backs of Celina, Tom Backs of Mason, Sally & Rob Schwieterman of Hudson, Rose & John Dye of Hilliard, and John & Sue Backs of Coldwater; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; in-laws, Esther Johnsman of Celina and Ruth Johnsman of Celina, Margie VanDornVelt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ruth Brown of Botkins, Delores Sowar of Dayton, Joan & Mark Wenning of St. Henry, Andy & Janet Backs of Hollywood, Florida, Sister Barbara Jean of Salem Heights, Barbara & Tom Monnig of Centerville, and Jim & Faith Backs of Jensen Beach, Florida. She was the last surviving member of her family and is preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy; siblings, Clarence & Verona Johnsman, Richard Johnsman, Arnold Johnsman, Lawrence & Pauline Johnsman, Dorothy Johnsman, Martha Jean Johnsman, and Leroy Johnsman; and in-laws, Edna Backs, Irene & Elmer Klosterman, Mary Ann & Frank Waters, and Joe & Ginny Backs, Bob VanDornVelt, Norb Giere, Francis Brown, Jack Sowar, Bob Gast. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Christian Mothers Sodality, and the women’s auxiliary of Knights of St. Johns. She was a homemaker who loved gardening especially flowers, baking, canning, bird watching and embroidery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery. Friends may call on Monday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.