Glenna Jean Englehart

Glenna Jean Englehart, 83, a devout Catholic and family woman, joined her husband, Donald Joseph Englehart in Heaven on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at Tamarack Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brimfield, Ohio, where she had been a Community member for over 63 years. Glenna, named after her father Glenn, was born in Stow on May 11, 1941 to the late Glenn and Nellie Merritts and was a graduate of Stow High School.

Glenna and Don were known as the “Notebook Couple” of Tamarack Ridge. They were deeply in love and married for 63 1/2 years and he affectionately referred to her as “Mater”, short for tomato, because of her beautiful red hair. Glenna was known for her love of Jesus, her dedication to her husband, her family, and her cherished grandchildren. She loved doting over her grandchildren, cooking, baking; especially at the annual Cookie Baking Day with family and friends, camping, ceramics, crocheting, and being a homemaker. She was known for her witty personality that made us smile daily. Her grandchildren and everyone that met her, stated that she was the ‘nicest’ person they ever knew or met. 

Glenna was a warrior. She provided care for her ailing father, mother, mother-in-law and when life threw her health struggles, she conquered them with grace, hope, faith, and positivity. She beat cancer 3 times, battled MS, 2 broken hips, multiple broken bones, surgeries, and more battles followed. Her family, and those dear to her, knew her as “The Energizer Bunny” because she proved that she could overcome any obstacle. Through all this, her focus remained on what she could do for others.

Glenna cherished her older sister, Ilene Kain. They were famous for singing Harbor Lights together, having so much fun they would giggle until they cried, and demonstrating to their daughters how to be dedicated sisters.

Glenna’s children want all to know what an honor it was to be her children. She leaves behind her children Steven Englehart, Kimberly Hlad (Michael) and Lisa LeMasters (Craig); grandchildren, Donnie Peters, Craig (Marissa) LeMasters Jr, Zack (Sarah) LeMasters, Rylan LeMasters (Payton), Parker LeMasters, Nicholas Clements, Cody Clements, Tanner Clements, Timothy (Trinity) Hlad, Kyle Hlad; great granddaughter Dakota Hlad, sister Ilene Kain, sisters-in-law Mary Ridenour and Kathy Englehart and many special and beloved nieces, nephews and friends, such as her long-time best friend, Marylynn Watters.

Glenna was preceded in death by her in-laws, Harley and Eleanor Englehart, her brother and sister-in-law, William and Lisa Merritts, her twin baby siblings, Gerald and Geraldine Merritts, and her brother-in-law, Richard (Skip) Kain.

The family would like to thank her nurse Jodi Huffman at Tamarack Ridge, for her hard work, love, and friendship during these last difficult years. In addition, they also would like to thank the nurses and staff at Tamarack Ridge and Traditions Health Hospice for their expert care and love. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 313 N. Depeyster St., Kent, Ohio 44240, where Glenna and Don were married and members for 63 1/2 years. Rev. Fr. David Bridling will serve as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Calling hours will be Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 4:00-7:00PM at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.