Mary Jane Cunningham

Mary Jane Cunningham, age 80 of Hilliard, Ohio and formerly of New Philadelphia, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at the Inn at Library Way, following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Born in Dennison, Ohio on March 26, 1945, Mary was a daughter of the late Lester L. and Lucille Little Harding.

She was a 1963 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. Mary worked at the former Youngen Insurance Agency as a secretary until 1972. In 1976 until her retirement in 1997, Mary worked as a Legal Secretary.

Mary was a former member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at New Philadelphia and a longtime member of the Lamda Chapter of the Alpha Pi Sigma Sorority.

She had a passion for skiing and throughout her lifetime, was a member of the Prime-Time Ski Club and Courtesy Patrol at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia and the Ragged Mountain and Loon Mountain Courtesy Patrol in New Hampshire. Additionally, she enjoyed sailing, antiquing, decorating, baking and being an amazing “Granny” to her rescue cats.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Kerry Kohl (Jon) Schmidt of Sunbury, Ohio; a sister, Ruth Ann (Ray) Middleton of Mariette, Georgia; her nephews and nieces, Brad West, Kim West, Lisa (Ric) Tyran, Lane (Brandie) Middleton, and her great-nieces, Cate and Lucy Tyran and Cecilia Middleton and many lifelong friends.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Wanda (Pete) Blanar.

The family will greet guests on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 5 – 8 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. There will be a celebration of Mary’s life on Saturday, June 21, 2025 in the funeral home’s chapel at 11 AM with the family receiving guests for an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia.

Contributions in memory of Mary may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association at 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Columbus, OH: Kerry Schmidt | Walk to End Alzheimer's or a Humane Society of the donor’s choice.