Mary Florence Honabarger Gress
Mary Florence Honabarger Gress was called to her eternal home on April 3, 2025. She was born in Bakersville, Ohio on September 25, 1945 to the late Edward L. Honabarger and Lavena P. (Levengood) Honabarger. She graduated from West Lafayette High School in 1963. On January 31, 1964 she married David John Gress. Mary owned and operated the Fashionette Beauty Salon in Newcomerstown for many years with a lifelong friend Melanie Sue VanDusen. Mary also worked at Oak Pointe Nursing and Rehab Center in Baltic and Altercare in Coshocton. Mary was a member of Renner’s St Paul United Church of Christ where she sang in the choir.
Mary is survived by a daughter and son in law Rhonda and Kevin Wright, grand-daughters Brittany (Shawn) McCune, and Chasity (Michael) Clarke; 9 great grandchildren: Luke, and Logan McCune, Mattilyn Clarke, Makayla McCune, Bronson Young, Warner and Rosie Clarke, and Huxson and Garrett McCune. She also leaves behind two beloved sisters Elizabeth McIntire and Martha Sycks and two sister in laws Faye Honabarger and Kendra Burger, several nieces, nephews and extended family, and a dear friend Nancy Hoffman. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years Dave, her brother Edward L. Honabarger III, and sister Beatrice Visintainer.
Mary was devoted to her family and brought incomparable joy and love into their lives. Mary will always be remembered as the life of the party. She entertained many over the years with her ukulele and astounding singing skills. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She will be missed beyond measure. The joy she brought to all who crossed her path will keep her memory alive.
The family will entertain friends and family on Sunday April 13th at Renners St Paul United Church of Christ 7620 Renner Rd SW Fresno, from 12-1 pm to celebrate Mary’s life. There will be a lunch in the church basement following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to honor Mary’s memory perform a random act of kindness for someone as she often did the same. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt 2:37-39
Category: Obituaries
