Mary Lou Bornhorst, 82, of Ft. Loramie, Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at Dorothy Love Retirement Community. Mary Lou, the youngest of thirteen children, was born on November 25, 1929 in Ft. Loramie, Ohio, to John and Anna Borchers, both deceased. She graduated from Ft. Loramie High School in 1947, and on May 22, 1951 she was married to Homer J. Bornhorst, who survives her. Since that time, Mary Lou and Homer have been major contributors to the civic and church life of Ft. Loramie and are widely known for their untiring work for St. Michael Catholic Church, their steady support of friends and family in times of need, and their dashing moves on dance floors from the Caribbean to Honolulu. Mary Lou devoted her life to her husband, her children, her community and her parish, where she built a career in religious education that began in 1961 and continued until her retirement in 2007. She regularly devoted countless hours preparing lesson plans for the religion courses she taught, ultimately becoming a Co-Director of Religious Education (1979-1995), a director of the Youth Ministry, an instructor at local Marriage Encounter functions, and a member of the Parish Council and Education Commission (1971-1995). Her leadership skills, teaching talent, and commitment to social justice led her to active involvement in the Cincinnati Archdiocese as a member of its Pastoral Council (1979-1985) and Social Action/World Peace Commission (1984-1990). Mary Lou's strong faith also led her to actively participate in many outreach programs, including hosting foster children and foreign exchange students, organizing hunger walks, volunteering at FISH, and organizing Casseroles for a Cause at the Holy Angels Soup Kitchen. Mary Lou's greatest joy and passion were her best friend, Homer, and their four sons, two daughters and their families. She is survived by her children, Theodore J. and Laurie (Hanner) Bornhorst of Houghton, Michigan, Richard J. and Stephanie (Hertenstein) Bornhorst of Findlay, Ohio, Mary Jo A. and Rhondale Haynes of Springboro, Ohio, William J. and Ann (Dugan) Bornhorst of Roswell, Georgia, Katherine A. and Kevin Thomason of Dallas, Texas, and Donald J. Bornhorst of Sidney, Ohio. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 11 of her 12 siblings: Martha Hilgefort, Clarence Borchers, Anthony Borchers, Louis Borchers, Herbert Borchers, Emma Kaiser, Mildred Barhorst, Leona Steineman, Helen Barga, John Borchers, and Albert Borchers, and is survived by her beloved sister, Agnes Winner. The family treasures many fond memories of Mary Lou, but most of all her caring nature and selfless support of others, whether friends, family or strangers. Through her unwavering Catholic faith, she challenged everyone she touched to always think of others first. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Community Foundation of Shelby County"Homer and Mary Lou Bornhorst Family Scholarship Fund benefiting Ft. Loramie High School students (100 South Main Avenue, Sidney, Ohio 45365) or the American Cancer Society. Visitation is on Thursday, August 9, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Friday, August 10, 2012 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Minster, Ohio. The funeral Mass is on Friday, August 10, 2012 starting at 10:30 am at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ft. Loramie, Ohio, with burial to follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Ft. Loramie, Ohio. Condolences may be made at
www.hogenkampfh.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Lou Bornhorst, please visit our flower store.
