Merdella M. Schwieterman

Merdella Mary (Borger) Schwieterman, known affectionately by everyone as Mert, died peacefully on March 18, 2023, after a long and fulfilling life. Mert was born on March 5, 1926, in St. Henry, Ohio to Urban & Thresia (Uhlenhake) Borger. On May 14, 1949, she married Cyril “Cy” Schwieterman, who died February 21, 2001.

Mert was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Cranberry, the Ladies’ Sodality, and was involved with the Ministry of Praise.  She worked at the former Buckeye Overall Apparel Company in Coldwater. Family meant a lot to Mert and she dedicated her life to raising and caring for her twelve children. Mert was an amazing cook and often taught her children how to cook and can the summer harvest. She was a gracious and selfless host to family and friends. Her children’s friends often frequented her home, affectionately known as Mert’s Motor Inn. Later in life, Mert enjoyed traveling with Cy across the country and internationally. She also enjoyed her grandchildren’s activities.

Mert is survived by four sons: Mike (Linda) of Arcanum, Jerry (Marcia) of Troy, Dave (Carol) of Wapakoneta, and Bob (Carol) of Castle Pines, Colorado; seven daughters: Joyce (Ken) Gerlach of St. Henry, Sheri (Mike) Roddy of West Carrollton, Barb (Larry) Abels of Englewood, Jane Moran of Columbus, Sandy (Jeff) Bruns of Germantown, Cindy (Vinnie) Wu of Milford, and Mary Beth Zimmer of Cincinnati; 31 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren (with three more on the way), and a sister-in-law Esther Borger of Coldwater. She was preceded in death by her daughter Connie Post and husband Ken Post, sons-in-law Greg Moran and Mike Myers; her brothers and spouses: Bob & Rita Borger, Carl & Ethel Borger, and Mel Borger; and in-laws Alvera Clericus, Arnold & Luella Schwieterman, Louis Schwieterman, Matthew & Coletta Schwieterman, Norbert & Cordula Schmitz, Rita & Ronald Wannemacher, Helen & Cletus Schmitz, and Ivo & Mary Ann Schwieterman.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 23 at St. Henry Catholic Church, St. Henry, Ohio officiated by Mert’s nephew, Msgr. Marvin Borger.  Live streaming for the funeral mass can be accessed at www.sthenrycluster.com/livestream . Burial will follow in St. Henry Cemetery.  Family will joyfully reminisce with friends and loved ones from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on March 22 and 9:00 am to 10:00 am on March 23 at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry. Memorials may be made to the Activity Fund at The Gardens at St. Henry or EverHeart Hospice in Greenville. Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com . The family would like to thank the staff at Mercer County Community Hospital, The Gardens, and EverHeart Hospice for the care and compassion they showed to Mert.