Marlene Ann Follas

Marlene Ann Follas, 79, of Van Wert, died Saturday morning, February 10, 2018, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born May 20, 1938, in Elida, the daughter of Esther (Paul) and Duane L. Stemen Sr., who both preceded her in death. On November 17, 1957, she married Robert P. Follas in Elida. Bob died April 10, 2010.

Marlene is survived by four daughters, Amy (Jay) Prichard of Van Wert, Lori Traxler of West Unity, Lynn (Mike) Bouillon of Convoy, and Jodi (Paul) Brummette of Van Wert; 11 grandchildren, Eric Prichard, Alissa McDonald, Nick Traxler, Josh Traxler, J.J. Traxler, Nate Traxler, Quintin Bouillon, Hatti Bouillon, Hannah Bouillon, Rachael Dettrow, and Christian Wallenhorst; eight great-grandchildren, with one on the way; a brother, Duane L. (Janice) Stemen of Columbus; and many nieces and nephews.

She was a 1956 graduate of Elida High School and also graduated from the Ohio School of Banking at Ohio University in Athens, and received her Municipal Finance Administrator Certification from Kent State University. She worked for Farmers Bank in Elida, Van Wert National Bank, the City of Van Wert, and Hoffman Plumbing and Heating.

Marlene was a member of First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, where she sang in the Senior Church Choir, Twig III, the Van Wert Optimist Club, and was a life member of Optimist International.

She previously served 12 years on the Van Wert City Board of Education and 10 years on the Vantage Career Center Board of Education. Over the years, Marlene traveled most of the United States and also in Europe. She drove many miles discovering covered bridges and loved to spend time at the Outer Banks in North Carolina with her kids and grandkids.

Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, February 13, at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert, with the Rev. Gus Christo-Baker officiating.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday at the church. 

Preferred memorials: First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.

Arrangements are being handled by Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.