Vivian Wilbarger

(Vivian) Marguerite Wilbarger, 90, passed away on Friday December 14, 2012 at Roselawn Gardens in Alliance. Born February 14, 1922, in Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Cara Reed and Owen Reed. A long time resident of Sebring, Ohio, she worked as an ER nurse at Alliance Community Hospital and was a talented writer, artist, seamstress and lover of nature. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles Robert Wilbarger, whom she married June 26, 1942, as well as five siblings. Survivors include her dear sister, Naomi (James) Daniels of Sebring, a brother John Reed of California, sister-in-law Ruth (Gene) Reed of Youngstown, her daughters Merril Wilbarger of Sebring, Heather Robin (Tim) Johnson of Cincinnati, and Marguerite Cherie (Calvin) Combs of Alliance. Grandchildren are Bret Combs of Long Beach, CA, Mandy Combs (Matt) Eastwood of Santa Barbara CA, Holly (Kevin) Kurz of Cincinnati and Carrie Johnson of Carmel, CA. A granddaughter wrote the following tribute to their “Grandma Willy”: “I am thinking a lot about how much I loved spending time with her when I was little. I don’t remember ever not wanting to stay down there which says a lot about how wonderful a grandmother she was. I remember her ground beef and white gravy concoction that she served on toast. Yum. And the smell of the closet that held all of the games and toys. I miss going there for Christmas and baking with her. I loved all of her collections and her indulgence in any interest you showed in nature or art or music. Her paintings covering the walls were always a source of wonder. I never understood how anyone could produce such amazing art. Even today I wish I had her talent and creative energy. In fact, I’m reading a book called The Artist’s Way about developing one’s creativity. That is her influence. Her poetry book is in the window seat and I think I’ll pull it out tomorrow and read a bit. Recently, in a conversation, I spoke of how much of grandma’s values have become my own. Not just hers, but her generation’s. That pride comes with any work done well. That wants and needs are not the same thing. That no matter how much you have, there’s never a reason to waste. That there is joy in a simple life. I am proud of these values. Mom passed them on to me and it’s my greatest inheritance. Marguerite had many kind and supportive friends in the Alliance Poetry Club. She also leaves nieces and nephews from coast to coast. Dr. Gamal Elmobasher will be fondly remembered as a compassionate physician. Memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Visiting Nurses/Hospice 885 S. Sawburg Ave. Alliance, OH 44601, Roselawn Gardens 11999 Klinger Ave. Alliance, OH 44601 and Harbor Light Hospice 25 South Main Street Ste. 7, Monroe Falls, OH 44262. Marguerite and her family became very fond of these special care providers. Cremation services are being handled by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. In lieu of services, a remembrance celebration will be held in the spring. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home.

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