Peggy Jean (Merriam) Kelbley

Peggy Jean (Merriam) Kelbley, Nashport, OH completed her journey through this life December 29, 2015. Peggy commenced her journey January 30, 1940 in Sandusky, OH. Peggy was the only child of Austin Emerson Merriam and Cleona Alois (Amburn) Merriam. In addition to her parents, Peggy was predeceased by cousins Francis and Pierre Amburn and brother-in-law Jim Kelbley, all of OH. Surviving are her husband of fifty-one years, John; her children Sean (Thomas Ball, Jr.) of Athens, OH, Samantha (Paul) Elkins of Naperville, IL, and Shane (Laura) of North Royalton, OH; grandchildren Miranda Kelbley of Oberlin, OH, Duncan Kelbley of North Royalton, OH, and Gareth, Charlotte and Derek Elkins of Naperville, IL; cousins Herschel (Laura) Amburn of Clear Brook, VA and Rene and Walter Amburn of Bellevue, OH; and brothers-and-sisters-in-law Joe (Rheyma) Kelbley of Fostoria, OH, Jerry Kelbley of Westerville, OH and Jeff (Sandy) Kelbley of Westerville, OH. Peggy spent her childhood enjoying Lake Erie and Cedar Point. Prior to graduating from Milwaukee (WI) Downer Seminary, she attended Sandusky High School (Class of 1958). Peggy and John met at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, OH, where she graduated with a bachelor of sciences degree in biology in 1963. Peggy worked as a heart research technician at The Cleveland Clinic until she and John married June 13, 1964 in Saint Mary's Church, Sandusky, OH. They lived for two months in Mexico City before moving to Athens, OH, where John completed graduate studies at Ohio University. During those two years, they served as Resident Directors of Berry Hall Men's Dormitory, and Peggy also worked as the University's Central Ticket Agent. In August 1966, John accepted a faculty position with Ohio University-Zanesville. Peggy, in addition to being a full-time mother to three children, was an active contributor in her new community. Among her many noteworthy civic activities and services were co-founder of the OU-Z Faculty Wives' Committee, Secretary and later President of the Board of the Zanesville Day Nursery, first Secretary of the Women's Board of the Pioneer and Historical Society of Muskingum County, and Head of the first Zanesville-Muskingum Tourist Center under James Daley. Peggy was an accomplished genealogist and great collector of Olympic pins, Hard Rock Café pins, Beanie Babies and Teddy Bears - all of which contributed to her many friendships across the country and the world. She loved to travel and plan trips for the family throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. Among her favorite memories were camping in Canada with her children and living with her family in Kittery Point, ME, during John's guest lectureship at the University of New Hampshire. She particularly enjoyed planning trips and traveling with her grandchildren - from Niagara Falls to the Badlands of South Dakota, from Mackinac Island to New Orleans, and many destinations between. Peggy loved art, music, spectacular ocean sunsets and scenery everywhere. Peggy was a gentle gardener skilled at letting plants and flowers multiply, spread and find their own best location to thrive. Her thousands of daffodils (started from just twelve bulbs) and hundreds of day lilies have for years given joy to neighbors and passersby alike. As she tended her gardens, so, too, did Peggy cultivate and nourish her many friends, her devoted husband and her loving children and grandchildren. A private cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to the BOLIN-DIERKES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1271 BLUE AVENUE, ZANESVILLE. To send a note of condolence, or to order flowers or comfort food: visit www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com , follow us on Facebook, or call our professional staff at (740)452-4551. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to: Genesis Hospice- Morrison House: 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701, The Nick and Nancy Sarap Genesis Cancer Center: 2951 Maple Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701, or to Christ Table: 28 S 6th Street, Zanesville, OH 43701.