Peggy L. Schmeltz, 95, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away peacefully at her home on December 10, 2022, surrounded by family.
She was born October 6, 1927 in Toledo, Ohio, to Lloyd and Helene (Keller) Hurrelbrink. She married William F. Schmeltz on January 24, 1948 at the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. They went on to raise four children; son Randolph G. (Jessie) Schmeltz, of Bowling Green, Ohio; daughters, Catherine A. Schmeltz, (Jim Lucas) of Columbus, Ohio; Dr. Christine D. (Daniel) Ellis, of Sylvania, Ohio; Janet A. (Dennis) Bower, of Bowling Green, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband William, sister Joan (Lutton) Bartrum, and son Randolph.
She graduated from Burnham High School in Sylvania, Ohio in 1946 and went on to attend the University of Toledo prior to transferring to Bowling Green State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Business Education.
She was a lifelong supporter of BGSU, where she served seven years on the BGSU Foundation Board and was inducted into the Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame. Bill and Peggy provided generous financial support to BGSU including gifting of the William F. and Peggy L. Schmeltz Atrium within the Business Administration building, the Schmeltz Family Fountain at the Alumni Gateway, the William F. Schmeltz Teaching Professorship, and the Peggy L. Schmeltz Business Scholarship.
Peggy was a former chairperson of the board of directors for the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC/BetterInvesting). She advised the New York Stock Exchange’s Individual Investor Advisory Committee, helped start more than 100 investment clubs nationwide, and shared her investment knowledge with others by teaching her “learn to earn” strategies throughout the U.S. She was regularly featured in Money Magazine, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.
She was an advocate for lifelong education and giving back to the community. Peggy was a generous supporter of the theater, library, and public parks in Bowling Green, where she served as a United Way director and as district leader of the Girl Scouts. With no local meeting place available, she spearheaded efforts to raise funds for the lodge at Wintergarden Park, where the scout groups often then met. Following her example, many of her children and grandchildren joined scouting.
A lover of gardening and nature, she encouraged others to visit the national parks. Many happy family memories were made while travelling, even camping in a tent with children in cloth diapers. She enjoyed watching for cardinals and deer at her home, and spending time in her garden. Nothing made her happier than sitting on her patio reading in the sunshine.
Peggy served as an example of love and dedication to her children and grandchildren and will be forever missed by her friends, family, and community. Her passing has left a hole in our hearts that will be hard to fill. If you see someone in need, stop for a moment to lend a hand in her memory. She left this earth a better place.
Visitation for Peggy will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 from 2:00 PM until the time of her Celebration of Life Service at 5:00 PM in the Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home & Crematory, 1460 W. Wooster Street, Bowling Green, Ohio. A private burial will be held at Toledo Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be gifted in Peggy’s honor to the Peggy L. Schmeltz Business Scholarship Fund through the Bowling Green State University Foundation, or to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Bowling Green, Ohio.
The family would like to thank Bridge Home Hospice, and Peggy’s doctors, nurses, caregivers, and pastors for their ongoing care and words of encouragement.
Online condolences, as well as a fond memory may be shared with Peggy’s family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
