Williams Co. teacher was reading volunteer after her retirement
11/21/2004BRYAN - Mary Josephine Boyer, who taught business education in the Millcreek-West Unity Local School District for many years, died Thursday in her home. She was 65.
She had a bad chest cold that bothered her for a couple of days before dying suddenly, family members said. A cause of death has not yet been established.
"It was a complete surprise," said Thomas Boyer, her husband.
Born Mary Josephine Boynton near Bryan, she attended Pulaski Elementary School before graduating from Bryan High School in 1956. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 with a degree in business education.
"She was a very practical person, and she loved to teach," said Mr. Boyer.
Mrs. Boyer started her teaching career in the Deshlerschools where she taught shorthand, typing, and accounting.
She married Thomas Boyer on Aug. 15, 1964, and the couple settled in Toledo, where she taught typing at the Whitney Vocational High School for two years.
"She liked working with students and watching them make progress," said her husband. In 1966, they moved back to Bryan where she taught at Hilltop High School until she retired in 1994.
A member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Mrs. Boyer continued teaching in her retirement. She volunteered to teach first graders in a reading program at Washington Elementary School. She also worked in her husband's accounting firm during tax season.
"She took pride in what she did and she enjoyed teaching," said Mr. Boyer.
Surviving are her husband of 40 years, Thomas Boyer; son, Charles, and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Oberlin-Ford Funeral Home in Bryan. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home.
The family suggests tributes be made to the Williams County Humane Society or Wesley United Methodist Church-Bryan.