EAST ROCHESTER, Ohio — Marilyn Grace Honaker Humphrey, 83, of East Rochester, Ohio, died at 6:45 a.m. Dec. 17, 2011, at Louisville Center in Louisville. She was born May 29, 1928 in Alliance, Ohio, to the late George R. and Ina H. (Hobson) Honaker.
Humphrey attended the one-room Science Hill School from first through eighth grade before graduating from Alliance High School in 1946, where she was valedictorian, member of National Honor Society, and editor of the school paper.
She graduated cum laude from Mount Union College in 1949 with a bachelor of science in biology, with minors in chemistry and history. She was one of the founding members of the Alpha Delta Pi social sorority at Mount Union College and received the Diamond Circle Award in 1997.
While at Mount Union, she was a member of Pi Gamma Mu (social studies honorary), Psi Kappa Omega, (senior honorary), Phi Sigma (biology honorary), Alpha Lambda Delta (freshman honorary), and served as a biology lab assistant for two years.
A 1951 graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a master of science in agricultural bacteriology, she was a teaching assistant for two years in agricultural bacteriology and dairy bacteriology and was a member of Sigma Delta Epsilon (graduate honorary).
Humphrey took additional coursework at Ashland University, Mount Union College, University of Wisconsin, and Kent State University. She completed an internship at WTI where she received Haz-Mat technician training and certification.
She worked at Jordan Dairy Store for seven years and taught from 1951-1955 at Goshen High School.
Humphrey taught science at United High School for 49 years, retiring in 2006. Until 1980, she taught biology and anatomy courses. Later in her career, she also taught chemistry, botany, environmental science, physical science, integrated science, Earn-to-Learn, Tech Prep, and provided instruction for proficiency test intervention for citizenship and science.
While teaching at United, she received two yearbook dedications, the Superintendent’s Award, was the home instructor for sick children in grades K-12, and for many years served as the ticket seller at all home ball games. She served as the National Honor Society adviser from the honorary inception at United High School in 1957.
In 2001, she was honored by being inducted into the United High School Wall of Fame as a Friend of United Special Honorary Achievement. She was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2000, 2001, and 2002. She also served as a private K-12 tutor at United Local Schools, West Branch Local Schools, and South Range Local School District and she tutored students at the Columbiana County Jail.
Throughout her 56- year teaching career, Humphrey taught more than 6,000 students.
She was the owner/operator of Lynn-Ridge Farms, an 800-acre farm in Columbiana County where she was a dairy farmer for 35 years and was a grain farmer for 22 years. She also owned farmland in Stark County.
She was a member of NEA, OEA, UEA (teachers associations), Delta Kappa Gamma (teachers sorority), Merry Matrons (neighborhood club), Farm Council, and Farm Bureau. She also was a member of many other organizations including the Lexington Grange in Stark County (where she was the recipient of the 50-year service Golden Sheaf award), Science Hill Historical Society, American Legion Auxiliary, United PTO, and United Athletic Boosters.
She attended Hanoverton Church of Christ.
On June 13, 1954, she married Franklin S. Humphrey, who died Dec. 19,
1985. Together, they raised 13 children, adopting two. Survivors include daughter, Beverly Oyer of Kensington; son, Frank Humphrey of Hanoverton; a sister, Roberta Bell of Damascus; sisters-in-law, Martha Honaker of Alliance and Betty Lou Honaker of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Don E. Honaker, and Linton R. Honaker.
Services were held at 11 a.m. Dec. 22 at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with Rev. Jonathan Truax of Science Hill Community Church officiating. Interment will be at Woodsdale Cemetery in Hanover Township. Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home. Friends may register online at: www.ctcfuneral.com
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