Elizabeth P. Doepker, 103, of Tiffin, died peacefully surrounded by family members on August 1, 2017, at her apartment on St. Francis Campus. 

Elizabeth (“Betty”) was born March 16, 1914, in Fancy Farm, Kentucky to Dr. William E. and Margaret (Burch) Merritt. She married John F. Doepker on May 31, 1941. He died on May 5, 2011. 

Survivors include six daughters and two sons: Mary Jo (Virgil) Bohls of Napoleon, Dr. John Frederick (Trina) Doepker of Evansville, IN, Catherine Doepker of Atlanta, GA; Sister Jacquelyn Doepker, OSF, Dan (Tina) Doepker, Rose Marie (Dennis) Smith, Linda (Rob) Ritzler and Patricia Cress, all of Tiffin; 27 grandchildren; and 27 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Barbara A. Hess; three sisters and two brothers, Mary Faulkner, Hazel Nahstoll, Catherine, Ernest and Burch Merritt; and grandson, Mark Smith.

Elizabeth graduated from Nazareth College (now Spalding University) in Louisville, Kentucky, with a major in home economics.

Elizabeth was a loving mother and an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church as long as she was able. She belonged to the Daughters of Isabella and the Altar & Rosary Society. She volunteered at St. Joseph Elementary library and assisted with sacristy work. Other volunteer activities included driving for Meals on Wheels, working at election polls, and assisting with activities at St. Francis Home.

She loved her family and enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, especially mysteries, until macular degeneration took away her ability to read. An avid Cleveland Indians fan, she followed them on TV. She never hesitated letting people know that she was from Kentucky, often reciting: “No matter where I roam, Kentucky will always be my home.” She would then add, “But I like Tiffin, too, just a smidge less.”

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Rev. Joe Szybka, Fr. Frank Murd, and her grandson Fr. Phil Smith con-celebrating.  A Rosary will be prayed 20 minutes prior to Mass.  Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery.  A luncheon and fellowship to follow at Elizabeth Schaefer Apartments.

Visitation is 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, August 4, 2017 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424, with Scripture Service at 7:30 P.M.   

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Parish, Tiffin Right to Life or to Sisters of St. Francis Retirement Fund.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.