Mary Bartilson

Mary Elizabeth (Reich) Bartilson, age 86, passed away September 19, 2026. Mary was born August 30, 1940 to Clarence and Melba (Heft) Reich in their home in Jerusalem, Ohio. Mary attended school from elementary through high school in Woodsfield, Ohio. She graduated from Woodsfield High School in 1958. Mary was working in Columbus at the Department of Taxation as Secretary to the Head of Corporate Taxation for the State of Ohio when she and Matt married on September 18, 1960. She worked for a couple of years before they started their family of 3 children. Once the children were all in school, she started working for a local printing and fulfillment company – Home Bindery/ Vincent Graphics. When she left there, she was the manager of the Bindery Department. In 1986 she began working at Scioto Ridge UMC as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastors and Staff. She retired in 2004. That gave her more time to volunteer, garden, travel, and spend time with family.

Mary loved spending time in her garden. One summer, she was awarded “Best Overall Yard” by the Master Gardner group in Norwich Township / Hilliard, Ohio. She and Matt are meticulous about the yard, and people come to visit, just to look at her flowers and take pictures. Mary loved spending time with her family. She and Matt traveled to numerous sporting events for the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren including tennis, baseball, softball, dance, Taekwondo, soccer, cross country, track, basketball, swimming, and diving.

Mary was a devoted Christian who selflessly volunteered many hours at Scioto Ridge UMC in many capacities – VBS, Boxed lunches for shut ins, youth fellowship, numerous fundraisers, and card ministry. When she retired from SRUMC, she continued to send hundreds of cards every year to friends and family for birthdays, celebrations, and love and support.

Mary was an avid tennis player, loved to play cards, and loved bowling with their friends every Monday. Mary and Matt traveled the world – they were always looking for a new adventure. For the past many years, Mary and Matt spent their winters in Florida, where they gained a whole new group of friends who became family. Mary was a loyal OSU fan - She and Matt traveled all over the country to numerous OSU football and basketball games.

Preceded in Death by parents Clarence and Melba Reich, brother Merle Reich and granddaughter Jennifer Woodford. Survived by spouse of 66 years Benjamin (Matt) Bartilson, children Annette Lieb (Pete), Ellen Woodford (Terry) and Bryan Bartilson (Myra), grandchildren – Jessica (Dennis), Emma, Justin (Rylee), Drew, Ryan, Benjamin, Carmen, Jennifer and Lora (Jake), great grandchildren Cooper, Kylee, Kinslee, Jennings, brother Paul (Darla), numerous nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 2pm-6pm at the TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH 43026 where funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10am. Interment Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the following: St Jude- http://www.stjude.org or Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio https://columbusfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/nonprofit?nonprofit_id=1790