Artist was a Bluffton market co-founder

11/8/2006

FINDLAY - Sheryl Patricia Gray, 55, a co-founder and vendor at the Bluffton Food Market in Bluffton, Ohio, died of cancer Saturday in Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center, Findlay.

At the Bluffton Food Market, Mrs. Gray owned and operated Bad-Dog Farms from its inception about four years ago. She was famous for her salsa, her daughter, Jennifer Stillings said.

Mrs. Gray, who had a bachelor's degree in art, also was a visual display artist with JC Penney in Findlay for the last 18 years.

She also did sculptures, paintings, and drawings, which she gave away to relatives.

"She was an artist in all aspects of life," her daughter said. "She was beautiful, artistic, and loving."

A native of Hinsdale, Ill., Mrs. Gray, whose maiden name was Kissick, graduated in 1969 from Findlay High School and later attended the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati, from which she graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in art.

In her free time, Mrs. Gray, who lived in Findlay most of her life, enjoyed gardening, cooking, and dancing.

Surviving are her daughter, Jennifer Stillings; son, Luke Snyder; companion, Ethan Fleming; brother, Lake Kissick; stepfather, Bill West, and three grandsons.

Services will be at 1 p.m. today in the Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay.

The family suggests tributes to Cancer Patient Services in Findlay.