Sona Jean Eppenstein

Name: Sona Jean Eppenstein

Calling Hours: Friday, February 11th from 2 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Service Hours: Saturday, February 12th at 12 (noon) at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption

Sona Jean Eppenstein, age 74, of Swanton, Ohio, entered into eternal life, Saturday evening, February 5, 2011 in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Ashland, Kentucky on September 28, 1936 and graduated from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky. She taught Latin and History at Swanton High School for 33 years, and then was a guidance counselor until her retirement in 1993.

Sona was very dedicated to the care of animals both as a member of the Fulton County Humane Society and as one who took many homeless critters into her home. She also had a profound concern for homeless people. She was co-director of the House of Hope in Swanton from 1980 until 1989. The home cared for 125 women and children in its 9-year existence.

She was a former member of St. Richard Catholic Parish in Swanton, and present member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Assumption.

Sona is survived by all those she loved and who loved her; especially her friend of 45 years Lucille Smith; her co-adopted children and grandchildren: son, David and daughter-in-law, Kayti and their children, Brodie Smith and Kaia Johnson; daughter, Maranda and her son, Jude Smith. She was like a sister to the Stephen C. Smith family - which includes Mary Ada (Chuck-deceased) Smith, Donald and Maxine Smith, Shirley (Pat-deceased) Smith, Rosemary (Karl-deceased) Ott, Robert Smith, Jerry Smith, Sue (Bill-deceased) Smith, Helen and Richard Gillen, and Theresa and Jeff McArthur; as well as numerous surrogate nieces and nephews. Sona is preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Pearl Eppenstein.

Family and friends may visit Friday, February 11th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.. Visitation will continue Saturday, February 12th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption, where a Mass of Resurrection will begin at 12:00 (Noon), with Fr. Ron Schock and Msgr. Chris Vasko officiating. Interment will follow at Marygrove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Building Fund, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or plant a live tree in the spring in Sona’s memory.

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Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Interment: Marygrove Cemetery