Mary M. Voiles, nee Hughes, age 84, was received into the Loving Breast of God for her eternal reward on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at the Altercare of Canal Winchester, Ohio, skilled nursing facility following a long battle to recover from a fall. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Lemaster, Ralph Riegel, and Hobie Voiles, and her parents, Richard C. Hughes and Viola M.Hughes. Also preceding her are siblings, Betty Hughes, Donald Hughes, Raymond Hughes, Carolyn Siegel, Thomas Hughes; and granddaughter, Shelly Voiles. She is survived by her children, Pamela Callendar and husband John, James Voiles and wife Diana, Robert Lemaster and wife Deborah, Glada Williams and husband Robert, Brenda Coterel, Bruce Voiles and wife Arlene. She is also survived by sisters, Garnet Helber and Faye Pichot and her husband Dewey; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mary’s life was defined by her passion for her family and a strong desire to serve others. After working at a private nursing home in Jackson, she moved to Dayton to work in the public health department before being hired on April 18, 1977, at the as the Executive Director Jackson County Board of Aging. During her 27 years as the Executive Director, she oversaw a large expansion of the services and support network to senior citizens across the county. She received many honors for her contributions to Jackson County. In 1997, she was listed in the National Directory of Who is Who in Executives and Professionals. She was driven to ensure the maximum amount of money and services were available for the county’s seniors.

Augmenting the budget with fund raising, she also was a strong advocate for modest public support to sustain the large effort across the county. Her passion for community support spilled over to other areas as well when she supported both the sheriff and Fire Departments’ levy issues. She also served for 15 years as the Treasurer for the Jackson VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She served as the Grand Marshall of the Apple Festival in 1994.

Her civic and professional memberships included the National Council on Aging, National Center on Rural Aging, National Institute of Adult Day Care, National Institute of Senior Centers, and Past President of the Aging Program Directors Association.

Although age and illness finally forced her to retire, she retained a passion for the people, especially the senior citizens of Jackson County until the day she passed.

For those who wish, a contribution to Odyssey Hopice’s “Camp Odyssey,” a camp for children who have experienced the loss of a close caregiver, can be made to Odyssey Hospice, 540 Officenter Place, Suite 100, Gahanna, Ohio 43230.

A Public viewing will be held 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012, at the Eisnaugle-Lewis Funeral Home in Jackson, Ohio. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday May 27, 2012, at the funeral home with Pastor Jack Hughes officiating burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Online condolences to www.e-k-lewisfuneral.com