Florence E. Gause, 95, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 2:25 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at her home.

She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 21, 1921, the daughter of Harley and Minnie (Myers) Shively.

Florence was a 1940 graduate of Geneva-Adams County High School. She obtained her first job at the Geneva License Bureau, and later worked at the Geneva Milling Company as a secretary; she then went on to work at the Decatur Casting Company, where she was the Production Secretary.

On October 15, 1944, she married Lloyd Gause, and became a dairy farm wife, of which she was very proud. She and Lloyd celebrated over 72 years of marriage, spending every day together on the farm.

Florence was a member of the Chattanooga United Methodist Church; in 1947 she became a member of the Chattanooga Grange, and then the Unity Grange, and was also a member of the Pomona Grange in Mercer County - she was very active in the grange for 69 years.

In 1980, she helped establish the charter membership of the Mercer County Genealogy Society. She spent a lot of time going through the red tape of establishing this organization. She loved her work with genealogy; working tirelessly, she delved through records and published numerous books and records.

Before computers, she and the other members went to the cemeteries, brushing the tombstones and recording the deaths, using the old flour, chalk, and paper method to record the births and deaths of so many countians. Whole cemeteries were done this way by her and her colleagues, culminating in publishing entire books of the records.

Florence was so very talented at crocheting, and enjoyed her hobby so very much. She loved making crocheted blankets for every member of her family, and everyone cherished her hand-made gifts.

Surviving is her husband, Lloyd, of Rockford and three children: a son, David (Lois) Gause; two daughters, Vickie (Tim) Bollenbacher, and Marjorie (Jay) Ellis, all of Rockford; 11 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 11 step-great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and 3 nieces and 2 nephews.

Deceased are her parents, an infant son, a sister and her husband, Imogene and Clarence Amstutz, and 1 great grandchild.

Services will be held on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, with Pastor Tom Brunstrup officiating. Burial will be in East Bethel Cemetery outside of Rockford.

Friends may call prior to the service on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the Chattanooga United Methodist Church or to the Mercer County Genealogy Society.

Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.