Glenna Jeanne (Dewese/Wilhelm) Philo, 90, of Custar, Ohio passed away Sunday November 19, 2017.
We just called her Mom, but Glenna was many things to many people.
An active member of the St. Louis Church, her faith was the center of her life. She enjoyed singing in the choir-rarely missing a Sunday service and always a willing volunteer when there was a fundraiser to staff. Even as she lost some of her memory, she was still ready to go to church when Sunday rolled around.
Graduating from BGSU with a degree in Pre-Med., Glenna became a faithful, loving wife before graduation. She dedicated her-self to Charles Wilhelm for 32 years, and after he passed, to Paul David Philo 20 years. There could not have been two happier unions- where she used her education raising an amazing family.
A loving Aunt, Mother, and Grandma, all of her nieces and nephew, children and grandchildren were special to her! Children, stepchildren, grands, great-grands, step-grands, step-great-grands, adopted great-grands- she loved visiting with them all!
Our Mom was a seamstress, learning the craft from her grandmother. She sewed many hours away, creating clothing for herself and for her family. She was also an expert knee-patchier, because that is where the boy’s jeans wore out.
Most importantly, to us, Glenna was a role model, teacher, defender and provider. But we just called her Mom. She will be missed.
Mom was always the support system for the family farming operations. She would make sure the men were fed, move the equipment as needed, and do whatever else was needed. As a gardener, she froze and canned enough food in the summer to see us through the winter. For a large family, that was no small chore. Nothing was too difficult for Mom.
In her “spare time” Mom loved to travel. She loved seeing new sights, visiting with far away relatives, and making new friends along the way. One thing she was not, was a stranger!
In addition to all of this, our Mom was a hero. One winter day, Mom was on her way to church and saw a car slide into the ditch. Stopping to see if someone was hurt, she helped the young lady into her car and took her to church with her. She knew there was a nurse who would be there who could help. For that she was awarded a humanitarian award for Wood County.
Glenna is survived by her sons Douglas (Margret) Wilhelm of Holgate, Ohio, David (Janet) Wilhelm of Rudolph, Ohio, Michael (Brenda) Wilhelm of Bowling Green, Ohio, Brian (Kathy) Wilhelm of Custar, Ohio and Nathan Wilhelm (Denise Schutzberg) of Custar, Ohio, daughter Ann (Randy) VanEtten of Perrysburg, Ohio, step-children Hiram (Jolene) Philo of Iowa, Hayes (Susan) Philo of Kodiak, Alaska and Cassius Philo of Anchorage, Alaska, 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband Charles G. Wilhelm, second husband Paul David Philo, brothers Robert A. Dewese, Maurice Dewese and Phillip Dewese and sister Phyllis (Dewese) Hummel.
Visitation will be held on Sunday November 26, 2017 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster St. A Scripture Service will begin Sunday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday November 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church, 22792 Defiance Pike Custar, Ohio 43511. Interment will follow at St. Louis Cemetery. Additional visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday morning at the church.
Memorial contributions may be given in Glenn’s memory to The St. Louis Church Choir, St. Louis Cemetery Fund or Bridge Hospice.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
