Marialyce R. Haferd, age 93, of Galion died Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Galion Community Hospital. She was born Marialyce Rachel Bils near Harpster, Ohio, on February 6, 1930, to the late Henry O. Bils and Marie Louise Triphonie (Lippens) Bils, both of whom had immigrated to the United States from Belgium. She grew up on a succession of their farms in Wyandot County. In 1949 she married Franklin H. Haferd of Carey, Ohio. He preceded her in death in 1988.
She is survived by children Laura (William) Montgomery of Wadsworth; Vivian (Larry) Quinn of Buffalo, NY; James E. (Jean) Haferd of Reno, NV; Sarah E. Haferd of Galion; Thomas E. (Rose) Haferd of Cambridge, MA; Theresa A. (Dennis) Theis of New Riegel; and William R. (Jenn) Haferd of East Walpole, MA.; seven grandsons, seven granddaughters; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. She is also survived by sister-in-law Patricia (the late David) Haferd of Carey, brother-in-law Gene (the late Jane) Laube of Findlay; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and their children. These include the surviving children of her late brothers George, Albert, Joseph and Robert Bils. She also was preceded in death by her sister Helen Swartz and two more sisters who died in infancy.
She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Galion, for over 70 years.
Having begun school at Harpster and at St. Peter’s School, Upper Sandusky, Ohio, she graduated from
Upper Sandusky High School in 1947. She attended St. Mary of the Springs College (now Ohio
Dominican University), Columbus. After her children were grown, she worked in the St. Joseph School
Library and computer lab for many years. In retirement, she volunteered at Galion Community Hospital.
She had a black horse named Trigger that she rode in the 1940s in Wyandot County.
She always kept a productive vegetable garden, and loved preparing fresh grown foods the way she had learned from her mother on the farm, and recipes from the Betty Crocker Cookbook 1949 edition as well as her own Christmas cookies, mailed out around the United States every year. She was a kind and thoughtful friend, and belonged to a local women’s card club in Galion for decades; she also hosted family euchre games. Her most stellar role in life was as matriarch of her large family, among whom she was the keeper of many confidences, renowned for her patience, fortitude, discretion, and good counsel to all those who sought it.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2023 and also 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 135 North Liberty St. Galion, Ohio 44833 with Father Paul Fahrbach officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Galion.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic School in care of the funeral home.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Marialyce Haferd, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.