Zita Bidwell age 87, of St. Marys, died on Wednesday July, 12 2023 at 11:15 P.M. at her residence.

She was born on March 24, 1936 in Mainz, Germany. She was the only daughter of Heinrich and Loni (Herberg) Kobel. On April 5, 1979 she married Thomas L. Bidwell and he preceded her in death on December 1, 2000.

Zita is survived by her children; Sam and Laura Dixon of Corona, CA., Teresa Roberts of St. Marys, Randy and Angie Dixon of Cincinnati, and her step son Chris and Andrea Bidwell of Cincinnati and eight grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband and step daughter Paula O'Flanagan and her in laws Patricia and Bob Dieringer.

Zita attended the Maria Ward Schule in Mainz, Germany and after moving to the United States when she was 17, went on to attend the International Business School in Ft. Wayne, IN. She was a member of the Phi Beta Psi Sorority, the Mercer County Elks Lodge 2170, Boca Grande FL. Woman's Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary of Celina.

Zita was an art enthusiast, loved to travel the world, enjoyed several different types of music, attending the opera, playing Bridge, cooking, and entertaining in her home. She was an avid shopper, making sure she thoroughly examined each item she was considering purchasing or something that just caught her interest. Zita was always an optimistic person, happy, content and loved spending time with her family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with Pastor Ken Locke officiating. Interment will follow at the German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the services on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Cancer Association of Auglaize County.

Condolences to the Bidwell family may be left online at gilberghartwigfh.com.