Julia M. (O’Reilly) Mangen (May 28, 2017)

Julia M. (O’Reilly) Mangen slipped away to heaven early Sunday morning, May 28, 2017. She was born March 22, 1927 in McCartyville, Ohio to her late parents, James and Angela (Behr) O’Reilly. Proud of her Irish heritage, the family tradition was to celebrate her birthday with a St. Patrick’s day theme. On August 7, 1946, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McCartyville, Julia married the love of her life, George Mangen. He preceded her in death on, February 7, 2009; their 62 and half year anniversary. Julia is survived by her children Barbara (Fred) Labo of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, Tony (Joanne) of Houston, Jerry (Deb) of Cedar Vale, Kansas, Dan of Tralcao, Chile, David, of Greenville, Traci (Steve) Kirner of Troy, and Rose (Bill) Biehl, of Fort Worth, Texas; also by children-in-law, Mary Ann Mangen and Chris Pehoski, of Amherst, Wisconsin, Cheryl Grider of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Tom Timmerman of Ft. Loramie. Two sons, Michael and Allen, daughter, Mary Ann Timmerman, grandchildren Jackie Labo and Joe Mangen, and 10 siblings preceded her in death. She is also survived by her siblings, Ruth Ann Walter, Leo (Norma) O’Reilly, in-laws Terentia Zumberger, John (Dorothy) Mangen, Juanita Hake and Sr. Maureen Mangen. She was Grandmother to 34 and Great-grandmother to 40.

She was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles. She served the Funeral Choir, funeral dinners, Ladies Sodality and Prayer Chain. She also participated in the Friends of the Library.

After her marriage to George in 1946, the pair farmed acreage in Frenchtown; moving to Russia in 1966 where they made a home for their children until 1988 when they retired to Versailles. Julia was the epitome of a loving wife and mother, a seamstress and excellent cook; hard-working, resourceful and the hub of family life. She and George enjoyed gardening, playing cards and square dancing. They traveled to Switzerland, Rome, Austria, Chile, and the American west to visit far-flung family and friends. Julia maintained contact with many loved ones through cards and letters – mastering email in order to reach out to younger generations. Always the avid reader and games-smith, she enjoyed books on CD as her eyesight weakened. A devout Catholic, who believed in the power of intercessory prayer, her daily meditations were a cornerstone of her faith and an anchor for her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3rd at St. Denis Church in Versailles with the Rev. Haft Celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Valbert Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will follow in St. Denis church basement. Friends may call Friday, June 2nd from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bailey-Zechar funeral home in Versailles. Memorials may be made to the Food Pantry c/o Versailles Council of Churches.

Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com