Mary Boylen

Mary Boylen, age 85, of Madison, was called Home on November 25th, 2022. Mary was born June 26th, 1937 in Galion, Ohio to Maxwell B. and Reatha I. (Miller) Wilkes. Mary’s greatest joy was caring for the young ones that entered her home. She was a foster parent for most of her adult life, and cared daily for many of her grand and great-grandchildren. Her heart for caring extended beyond her family as she was always willing to give to those in need and care for neighborhood animals. She enjoyed making homecooked meals for her family, bowling, and camping with her children when they were young. Mary was a person of many talents, including gardening, crocheting, and most of all doll making. When she wasn’t enjoying the sunset on Lake Erie, she could be found enjoying a Pepsi or 7Up while watching the birds outside her window. Mary was a homemaker when her children were young, and then later went on to retire from Neff-Perkins after 20 years of service as a press operator. She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Bruce) Burkholder of Madison, Tammy (John) Braddock of Nevada, Texas, and sons Carl Lee (Camilla) Simpson of Wylie, Texas, and Richard (Theresa) Simpson of Madison, step-children, Earl (Chris) Boylen and William Boylen both of Youngstown, Sharra (Ronald) Leonard of Cape Coral, Florida, Molly (John) Griffith of Madison, Penny Boylen of Ashtabula, Heather (Shane) Leonard of Cape Coral, Florida, and Nicole Shane of Newark, Ohio. She is survived by 10 grandchildren, Patrick Burkholder, Anthony DiFabio, Brian (Meghan) Simpson, Matthew Braddock, Brittany Burkholder, Ashley (Paul) Borthick, Eric (Tabitha) Burkholder, Kelley (Nathaniel) Phillips, Cody Braddock, and Matthew Simpson; and 21 great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Kenneth Boylen. Friends will be received from 6:00-9:00pm, Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 at Behm Family Funeral Home (26 River Street, in Madison). The service will be held at 11:00am on December 1st, 2022 at Thompson United Methodist Church (6758 Madison Rd., Thompson, OH 44086). Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com