Marie A. LeFever, 86, of Bellefontaine, passed away November 13, 2024, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. The middle child of nine was born to Merrill and Gladys (Hiltibran) LeFever on June 23, 1938. She was always fun-loving, generous, and exceptionally caring and loved to be around others. Marie was a favorite grandma, great-grandma, aunt, and great-aunt, and children especially were always drawn to her.
Although she was 86 in years, she was far younger in living her life, thoroughly enjoying playing with her great grandchildren, acting as the carpool driver for her siblings on trips to Sam’s Club or the Amish store, or cooking or baking – which she did often. Marie never slowed down, until the final three weeks of her life.
Marie’s lifelong partner was Kay Mummey, and he survives. Over the more than 40 years with Kay, Marie enjoyed a very special bond with Kay’s daughter Gloria (Rick) Herring. Although Marie never married and had no children of her own, Kay’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren loved Marie as if they were her own, as she did them.
Always a free spirit, Marie never had many restrictions when it came to nieces,
nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They will all remember her as the most fun babysitter, with more energy and enthusiasm than people far younger than she was. Everyone looked forward to visits with Marie, and there was never a dull moment.
She always remembered nearly everything about everyone – the specific foods,
activities, and interests each had. Everyone benefited from her cooking and baking; she often shared whatever she had, and many times baked special items as a thank you for someone who helped her with a computer problem. Marie would often leave the front porch lights on in the evening for Gloria when she had leftover dinner to share, and Gloria would stop in after work to visit and enjoy a great meal.
A graduate of Urbana High School, Marie’s first job was at G.C. Murphy in Urbana. She later moved to Bellefontaine and worked for her brother-in-law Bob Erwin at Erwin Insurance Agency for more than 20 years. She was also a distributor for Home Interiors & Gifts. Marie later worked for the Logan County Recorder’s Office, and at one point performed in-store food demonstrations. More recently she had returned to Erwin Insurance Agency for a day or two a week. There was rarely a time when Marie was not busy. She was quick to lend a helping hand to a neighbor, friend, or relative whenever she saw a need.
Marie and her siblings had a close relationship, and there was always much laughing when they got together. It was often hard to tell which sibling was the ringleader, but they all stuck together through thick and thin. Marie’s passing leaves a huge void in the families. Her spunky, vibrant spirit will be sorely missed.
In addition to Kay C. Mummey and Gloria and Rick Herring, survivors include children Carson (Darla) Mummey and Debbie Mummey. Daughter Julie (Mummey) Halsey preceded her in death. Also surviving are son-in-law Todd (Monica) Halsey; grandchildren Josh (Holly) Mummey, Jill (James) Green, Andrew Mummey, Elisa (Cameron) Klump, Erica (Stephen) James, Robert “Robbie” (Leesha) Herring, Hannah (Daniel) Hart, Nate (Abbie) Halsey, Luke Halsey, Wayne and Calvin Halsey; and great-grandchildren Owen and Jackson Mummey; Jadon, Landon and Makaylyn Klump; Bentley, Piper and Cooper James; and Rosella, Raelyn, Risoul, Remilee, and Riley Herring.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her siblings Norma LeFever and Ralph LeFever. Surviving siblings are Sue (Junior) Eaton, Nancy (Robert, dec’d) Erwin, Ruth (Gene, dec’d) Weese, Janice (Dave) Cook, Bill (Debbie) LeFever, and Clara (Bill Moore) LeFever. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home and Crematory on Thursday, November 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. A service will follow from 5 to 6 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the American Heart
Association.
