Elizabeth Ann (Archibald) Gillespie passed away peacefully at the Bridge Hospice Care Center with her family by her side, on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 73 years, Ralph, and their four children: Sherrie Holcombe, Terrie (Dave) Koziel, Cindy Hendricks, and Ralph (Lynn) Gillespie. Grandchildren include Christopher Koziel, Colette (Bradd) Parish, Andrew (Jami) Koziel, Cody (Erin) Koziel, Cassie Cassady, LeeAnn (Douglas) Ludwig, Lisa (Joe) Scott, Kacey (Brett) Riley, Kathleen Vige, Kandi (Chammaro) Williams.
Elizabeth was born on May 17, 1931, to Thomas E. and Edna (Stahl) Archibald. She graduated in 1949 from Bradner High School as class valedictorian.
Ralph and Elizabeth were married on February 24, 1951.
She worked as a deputy clerk of courts in the Sandusky County Courthouse and worked at several car dealerships including Burstead in Fostoria, Lustine’s and Lang’s in Fairborn. In 1961, Ralph and Elizabeth moved back to Bradner, and she became a full-time homemaker. Her cooking and baking skills were amazing. She also was handy with the sewing machine, making many of the clothes and costumes worn by her children. She loved traveling by sea, land, or air with special trips to Scotland, Panama Canal, Caribbean, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas.
Elizabeth was a life-time member of the Bradner American Legion Auxiliary. She was also active with Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls in Bradner.
Elizabeth and Ralph were co-owners and operators of the Country Club Roller Rink in Bradner. After moving to Findlay, she volunteered at Blanchard Valley Hospital in the gift shop.
She is also survived by sister-in-law, Colleen (Gillespie) Wollam, and nieces and nephews: Mary (Wollam) Grimms, John Wollam, Michael Gillespie, Robert (Connie) Cook, Donna Rose Malone, Gene Abel, James Hahn, Kathy Alford. Also surviving are great-and great-great-grandchildren: Drew Parish, Tyler Parish, Brooklynn Vining, Andrew B. Koziel, Aneila Sue Koziel, Landon Burno, Dawson Burno, Brynli Koziel, Julian Salazar Cassady, Cylus Peters, Jase Peters, Noah Lane, Madisyn Irvin, Piper Irvin, Katrina McElhaney, Karley Scott, Trinity Riley, Aiden Riley, Cameron Riley, Joseph Vige, Graecyn Vige, Kairi Williams.
Preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Edna (Stahl) Archibald and siblings, Rosa (Courtney) Abel Newton, William Archibald, and Dorothy (Archibald) Cook Craig. She was also preceded by her sons-in-law Russell Holcombe and James E. Hendricks, as well as nieces and nephews: Robert Gillespie III, Lynn (Wollam) Lilly, William Cook, Denny Cook, Joseph (Joyce) Cook, Thomas Abel, Don Abel, Edward Abel, Jenny Abel, Pam Mull Warden.
Friends will be received from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Barndt Funeral Home in Wayne, Ohio, with an auxiliary service at 5 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday with Pastor Tamara Bennett officiating.
The burial will be at Bradner Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Bridge Hospice Care in Findlay, Ohio, or to the Albert Bowe Post (338) of the American Legion in Bradner, Ohio.
Online condolences can be sent to Elizabeth’s family at www.barndtfuneralhome.org.\
