Obituary of Victoria E. J. Manhart

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother Victoria Elizabeth Josephine (Johnson) Manhart, 103 years old, of Stow, Ohio, joined her husband Merle S. Manhart in God’s kingdom on July 8, 2013. She was born on August 21, 1909 in Lanse, PA, daughter of Gustaf and Dahlia Johnson, and moved to Jamestown, NY, in 1928 then resided in Ashville, NY for over 50 years. Victoria spent her life as a devoted daughter, wife and mother.  She lovingly took great pride in her home and family.  Everyone enjoyed her cooking.  She loved the outdoors, her flowers and long walks.  She was active in the Ashville Methodist Church and remained a member after she moved to Stow.  She worked part-time, for 10 years, at Hellman’s Grocery Store. Music was very important in her life.  She sang in the church choir and Mother’s Singing Group, played the piano and attended concerts.  Victoria and Merle always spoke with great excitement, about dancing to the big band music in the Chautauqua Lake area.  They traveled to 35 states, including Hawaii, and many weeks in Florida.  They enjoyed family road trips throughout the US and into Canada.  Victoria was unselfish, giving and helpful to everyone, and was therefore loved by everyone.  She had a positive attitude and lived each day to its fullest. Victoria has resided for the past 11 years at The Briarwood Assisted Living facility in Stow, OH, where she spent her time enjoying her room filled with many of her special things.  “Vicki” was a “social butterfly” and enjoyed playing bingo, going on bus rides and lunches, participating in craft activities, attending church and participating in the sing-a-longs.  Victoria spent many hours doing embroidery; then sharing her beautiful work with family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Merle S. Manhart, her parents and siblings.  She is survived by three daughters:  Janet Bergstrom, Stow, OH, Sally (Stan) Alex, Lewiston, NY, and Linda (Ron) Larson, Shrewsbury, MA; seven grandchildren: Todd (Kim) Bergstrom of Norton, OH, Jeffrey (Jennette) Bergstrom of Highlands Ranch, CO, Kurt (Susann) Bergstrom of Knoxville, TN, Steve (Mary) Alex of Millbrook, NY, Scott (Carol) Alex of Wilson, NY, Doug (Jenn) Larson of Savage, MN, and Pamela Lincoln of Sutton, MA; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Pastor Violet Davidson will conduct a service at Lind Funeral Home, 805 West 3rd Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 12 noon, where friends are invited for visitation from 10:30 AM until service time. Interment will be at Open Meadows Cemetery, N. Harmony, NY.  Memorials can be made to the Music Dept. of Ashville Methodist Church or to The Briarwood Assisted Living Facility, 3700 Englewood Drive, Stow, OH, 44224.  A memorial service will be held in August at The Briarwood in Stow.