Mary Lou Spangler

Mary Lou Spangler

Age 82, of Vandalia, died (Mary Lou did not like the term passed away) at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, December 10, 2017. Mary Lou was born on October 26, 1935 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Theodore and Ethel Rauch. Mary Lou graduated from Carlow College in Pittsburgh with a degree in Speech and Hearing Pathology. After raising six children, she started the latchkey program for the Vandalia Public School System, which served more than 400 children a year. She was well known and greeted all over Vandalia and Butler Township by children or parents of children who were graduates of that program. Mary Lou actively supported her childrens’ and grandchildrens’ activities.

She has been an enthusiastic fan of Dayton Flyers and Xavier Musketeers basketball, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball and Pittsburgh Steelers football. Mary Lou was a take charge person who, among other things, was the head of her home owners association. Mary Lou had a lively sense of humor and didn’t take herself too seriously. For example, while in Hospice home care, Mary Lou thought about the wake that would fairly soon be held for her, and decided she didn’t want to miss it. She therefore held her own “AWAKE” party with 150 to 200 of her closest friends and relatives. There was music, karaoke and an open bar and a good time was had by all—especially by Mary Lou.

As a Catholic, Mary Lou had a deep faith in God and she lived that faith. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Ted and Jim Rauch. She is survived by her loving children, Susan Motley (Rod), Mary Lynn (Bill) Glover, John Spangler, Jill York, Ted Spangler (Suzy) and Dean Spangler (Sheila); 18 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; her loving nieces, nephews, devoted companion of more than 20 years, Charlie Chamberlain, and by her many friends, including the Thursday “Girls’ Night Out” group. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am, Thursday, December 14, 2017 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Vandalia with Rev. Fr. John Tonkin officiating. The family will receive friends at St. Christopher on Thursday morning from 10:00 am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton. Condolences and other remembrances may be shared with the Spangler family at www.mortonwhetstonefh.com