Ann Berkebile Baither [1930-2014]; Church volunteer also horse enthusiast

3/24/2014

Ann Berkebile Baither, an Ottawa Hills resident who was a volunteer at St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church and past board member of Sunset House, died Saturday in Lakes of Monclova Health Campus in Monclova Township. She was 83.

She died from complications following a cardiac procedure she received about two weeks ago, according to her daughter, Martha B. Conrad.

Mrs. Baither grew up in South Toledo and lived most of her adult life in Ottawa Hills. She belonged to the Garden Club in the village, was a member of the Altar Guild at St. Michael’s Church, and served on the board at Sunset House, Mrs. Conrad said.

She was born Aug. 7, 1930, in Toledo to Elizabeth and Orris Berkebile. Her grandfather, John H. Berkebile, was a prominent Toledo building contractor who directed the construction of many landmark structures, including Scott and Waite high schools, the former Willys-Overland Motors Inc., and numerous other schools and churches.

He entered the business in 1888 with Henry J. Spieker and held the title of president from 1914 to 1922. During that time, the old Toledo Edison Building, the Toledo Museum of Art, the old Toledo Public Library, the Toledo Club, and Collingwood Presbyterian Church were built by the firm. He left Spieker and organized his own general contracting company with his son, Orris Berkebile, in 1922 under the name of J.H. Berkebile and Sons.

Mrs. Conrad said her mother was very proud about the landmarks that were constructed under the direction of her father and grandfather.

Mrs. Baither graduated in 1948 from Maumee Valley Country Day School. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington.

While at IU, she met James D. Greek. They were married on Nov. 10, 1951. Mr. Greek, who was a purchasing agent for AP Parts Corp., died in a car accident on the Indiana Turnpike near Angola on Oct. 1, 1957.

She married Charles P. Baither, Jr., on Sept. 9, 1967. The family of Mr. Baither, a widower with a son and daughter, blended with the two daughters of Mrs. Baither from her first marriage, said Ms. Conrad.

“For many years she had four teenagers. She was kept pretty busy. We all got married, and she had 10 grandchildren within five years. We have kind of been all about kids,” she said.

Mr. Baither, who worked at the former Pemberton Cadillac Co. and was involved in commercial real estate, died on July 26, 2010.

A horse enthusiast, Mrs. Baither owned and rode American Saddlebred horses. “She always knew how to ride. It was a lifelong interest for her,” Mrs. Conrad said.

Surviving are her son, C. Phillip Baither III; daughters, Pamela Geha, Martha Conrad, and Robin B. Miller; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and brother, Perry Berkebile.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church.

The family suggests tributes to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the charity of the donor’s choice. The Walker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Contact Mark Reiter at: markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.