Maryanna Sweitzer

Maryanna Sweitzer, aged 85, went home to be with the Lord on May 4th, 2022, from her home in Marlboro Township, where she was surrounded by members of her family.

She was born Bertha Maryanna Simmons on October 17th, 1936 in Beallsville OH. Like her three other siblings, she preferred to be called by her middle name.

She grew up in Laings, OH, where she attended school until her family moved to the Alliance area during her Junior year of High School. She then attended Alliance High School, where she was named a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating in 1953, she worked as a legal secretary.

During this time, Maryanna met Henry Sweitzer of Marlboro Township, whom she married in 1956. They were married for 60 years. Their first child was born in 1957, and she left the workforce to become a full-time mother until 1967, when she attended Kent State University. Following graduation with a teaching degree in 1973, she began work as an educator at Washington Elementary School. She also taught at Lexington Elementary before moving to Marlboro Elementary for the rest of her teaching career.

She spent her retirement travelling with her husband and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She volunteered as a librarian at Stark County Christian Academy and performed fundraising activities for Ohio Valley College. She was also active as a Sunday School teacher at the Union Avenue Church of Christ.

Maryanna is survived by her son Kirby (Janice) Sweitzer of Jackson Township, and daughters  Sue Ann (Larry) Ray of Marlboro Township, and Joanna (Randy) Allen of Canton. She had seven grandchildren – Benjamin Faust of Crowley, TX, and Abigail (Robbie) St. Louis of Ravenna, OH; Clinton (Emily) Sweitzer of Worthington, OH, Joel (Annie) Sweitzer of Marysville, OH, and Keith Sweitzer of Rochester NY;  Anthony (Sandi) Ray of North Canton, and Aleta (Lucas) Smithbauer of Bridgeport WV; and seven great-grandchildren – Henry, Rosalia, and Sadie Sweitzer; Ameila, Eleanor, and Adeline Ray; and Raya Smithbauer.  Preceding her in death were her parents, Walter and Bertha Simmons; brothers Jake, Larry, and Guy; husband, Henry; and her daughter, Connie.

Calling hours will be at Cassaday- Turkle-Christian Funeral Home in Alliance, OH from 5pm to 7pm on Sunday, May 8th, and from 10am to 11am at the Alliance Church of Christ, 9371 McCallum Ave NE, Alliance on Monday, May 9th. Funeral services will be at 11am on May 9th at the Alliance Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial gifts be made to the Alliance Church of Christ.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601.