Karen Mengerink
July 18, 1952 — October 13, 2016
Karen L. Mengerink of Van Wert, died at 10:03 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, at Van Wert County Hospital. She was born July 18, 1952, in Van Wert, to Lucille F. (Grant) Muntzinger, who survives of Van Wert, and the late Robert W. Muntzinger. Her husband, Kenneth E. Mengerink, survives of Van Wert. They were married Oct. 2, 1971.
Other survivors include children, Kenn E. (Denise) Mengerink of Orient, Ohio, and Krista L. Mengerink of Grove City, Ohio, a brother, Kurt R. (Nancy) Muntzinger of Van Wert, and three grandchildren, Reid Mengerink, Reagan Mengerink and Kenna Mengerink.
She retired as a paraprofessional and bus driver from Van Wert City Schools in 2015. For many years and still currently she taught swimming lessons and lifeguard training at the Van Wert YMCA and formerly at the Van Wert YWCA. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Van Wert. She also taught CPR and First Aid with the Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross. Karen was the longest active volunteer with the Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory. The Rev. Hal Shafer will officiate. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Van Wert. Visitation is 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Van Wert YMCA Aquatics Program or the Van Wert Chapter of the American Red Cross.