Lucille L. Uhlenhake, 94, formerly of St. Marys, OH died at 1:23 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016, at Roselawn Manor, Spencerville, OH, where she had been a resident for over 12 years with dementia.
   She was born on May 26, 1921 in St. Marys, to John and Emma (Lehmkuhl) Noonan. On June 18, 1946, she married Richard Uhlenhake who preceded her in death on December 19, 2003.

Survivors include her sons, Brad (Carolyn) Uhlenhake of Riverside, MO; Steve (Beverly) Uhlenhake of Spencerville, OH; Dan (Beth) Uhlenhake of St.Marys, OH; daughter, Mary Jo (Greg) Bireley of Ft. Wayne, IN; and by 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents John and Emma Noonan; infant sister Virginia Noonan, infant granddaughter Kathryn Jane Uhlenhake; her brothers, Robert Noonan and Richard Noonan, and sisters, Mildred Noonan and Rosalie Drees.

She was a 1939 graduate of Memorial High School. After high school, she worked as an assembler and then a secretary for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in St. Marys until shortly after her marriage. Most of her life she was a homemaker, but in later years worked at the Montgomery Ward store in St. Marys and then served as a crossing guard near East Elementary School for the City of St. Marys. She was loved by hundreds of students, all of whom were reminded by Lu to button up their coats and wear their hats and boots during cold weather.

She was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic church and the Ladies Alter Society in St. Marys. She was very devoted to her faith and volunteered for many parish functions over the years. She served in Holy Rosary's CCD religious education program for many years, working in the office.

Her favorite pastimes included gardening and was a longtime Canasta card club player with her many girlfriends. Sleep came late for Lu's family whenever she hosted card club, with the constant stories and outbursts of laughter and giggling from her guests. She possessed a lovely soprano voice and could also rival any tornado siren with her famous whistle. Her children could hear her whistle several blocks away, calling them home to supper. In later years, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and never missed an important event in their lives.

Lu took pride in her home and loved using a paintbrush, lawnmower or broom to maintain it. She was a tremendous baker and cook. Part of her parenting philosophy was the importance of daily family meals. The highlight of which was her Sunday noon time meal every week while her children were at home and in their formative years. She insisted on hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for her family until she could no longer handle the task.

She will always be remembered as a vivacious, outgoing and kind person who put those she loved first and herself last.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Church St. Marys, with the Rev. Barry Stechschulte officiating Monday, 11:00 a.m. February 8, 2016. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, in St. Marys.

Visitation will take place from 1:00-4:00 P.M. Sunday,  at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys.
   Condolences may be expressed to the family via MillerFuneralHomes.net.

Memorial contributions are to be made to Holy Rosary School or the Holy Rosary Building Expansion Project.