Mary Kathryn Mescher

Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:43AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.
Pollutants across the state are expected to range from the 'Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups' category in the southwest part of the state to the 'Unhealthy' category in the rest of the state. Hourly concentrations at times may reach the 'Very Unhealthy' to 'Hazardous' categories.
It is recommended, when possible, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.
For additional information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website at epa.ohio.gov.

Saturday, February 28th, 2026

Mary Kathryn (Quinlin) Mescher, age 84, of Elm Street in Fort Loramie, Ohio, passed away peacefully of natural causes at her residence, with her family by her side, Wednesday afternoon, February 25, 2026. She was born April 7, 1941, in Fort Loramie, Ohio, to the late Edmund & Cecelia (Gruener) Quinlin. On June 2, 1962, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie, Mary Kathryn married James "Red" Mescher who survives.

Also surviving are six children: Tim & Mary Beth Mescher, Tony Mescher, Peg & Nick Hilgefort, Patti & Kevin Kazmaier, Ted & Amy Mescher and Todd & Renee Mescher, all of Fort Loramie; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren (one deceased) and one on the way; one sister, Sheila Quinlin of Fort Loramie; sisters & brothers-in-law: Marcella Mescher of Versailles, Elsie Balster of Coldwater, Dennis Mescher of Maria Stein, Mary Lou Mescher of Fort Recovery, Marcella Mills of Versailles, Sr. Martha Mescher of Maui, Hawaii, Nicholas & Sally Mescher of Urbana and David & Lucy Mescher of Maria Stein along with numerous nieces and nephews as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three siblings: Thomas & LaDonna Quinlin, James & Dorothy Quinlin and Barbara & William King as well as brothers & sisters-in-law: Ralph Mescher, Lucille Nielsen, infant Gilbert Mescher, Stanley & Vernice Mescher, Werner Balster, Sr. Verlina Mescher, Viola Mescher, Vernon Mescher, Sharon Mescher and Gene Mills.

Mary Kathryn was a 1959 graduate of Fort Loramie High School before continuing secretarial studies at Campbell Commercial College in Cincinnati. She was primarily a dedicated homemaker. Over the years she had also been a cook at Fort Loramie Schools, a buildings and grounds keeper for St. Michael Parish (18 years) and the St. Michael's Cemetery Sexton (13 years). She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, St. Ann's Ladies Sodality and a founding member of White Oak Lake Inc. Mary Kathryn loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; especially following their sporting events and school activities. She also enjoyed crafts and making cards with her friends in the card making club.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 2, 2026, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. Steven Shoup presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery. Family and friends may call Sunday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Monday, 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to Wilson Health Hospice, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or charities of choice. Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.

Archive of
February 28th, 2026

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