Two Mennonite Home residents celebrate century mark

Helen Pyatt and Pauline Hirschler

Two residents of Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton, reached the century mark recently, according to Rhonda Wolpert, MMH administrator.

The two are Helen Pyatt, who turned 100 on Oct. 21 and Pauline Hirschler, who turned 100 on Dec. 20.

Helen Pyatt
Helen was born in Bedford, Pa., and moved to Salem, Ohio, when she was 12 years old. In 1982 she moved to Ada. Helen has two daughters, Betty Lyons of Ada, and Marjorie Clingerman of Parker, Colo. She also has three grandsons.

Helen worked as a shoe store sales clerk. According to her daughters: "She worked hard all her life, raising her children on her own. She had a green thumb when it came to African violets. She has always liked to be busy and was a good housekeeper."

Daughter Betty also noted of her mother: "During her later years she was known for her sweeping as she always had a broom in her hand, busy sweeping patio, garage and whatever needed swept."

MMH employees note that Helen has a sweet, gentle spirit and enjoys sitting in the living room observing and visiting with peers.

Pauline Hirschler
Pauline Hirschler was born in Lima to Alarta and Tymah Fay Roush Lutz. She earned a two-year teaching certificate from Bowling Green and taught for two years in a one-room schoolhouse in Allen County and then at Horace Mann Elementary School in Lima.

She married Alfred Hirschler of Bluffton, in 1940 and moved east to the Philadelphia area. Alfred died in 1972, and Pauline remained in the east, involved in many activities until 13 years ago when she moved to Bluffton.

She has one daughter, Marilyn (Gary) Bishop of Bluffton.
Grandchildren are Jeff (Kathy) Bishop of Bluffton, Dan (Carola) of Denver, Colo., and Emily (Jon) Emery of Beavercreek. She has five great-grandchildren.

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