Glenna J. (Leithauser) Mekus

Glenna J. (Leithauser) Mekus, age 88, of Swanton, Ohio, entered into eternal life, Thursday afternoon, June 1, 2023, at the Fulton County Health Center, following complications from alzheimer’s disease. She was born May 5, 1935 in Defiance, Ohio to the late Leland R. and Gertrude D. (Krutsch) Leithauser. Glenna was raised in Brunersburg, Ohio and attended St. John grade school. She graduated in 1953 from Defiance High School, where she was a majorette in the marching band.    She and her husband, Louis “Nolan” Mekus, met at a square dance and have been married for 68 years.

Glenna was devoted to her Catholic faith and was a member of St. Richard Catholic Parish.  She worked for the Parish for 17 years as a custodian. She belonged to the prayer group, attended chapel, and distributed holy communion to the shut-ins.   

Glenna enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crafting and bowling.  When the kids were growing up, she served as a Girl Scout leader. She looked forward to St. Richard Bingo and Fish Fry’s.  

Glenna will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, as well as a wonderful homemaker and cook. She will be greatly missed by her husband, Nolan; children, Linda (Homer) Shoup, Cynthia Emahiser, Kelly (Fred) Sheneman, Jill (Randy) Hass, Eric (Mihwa) Mekus, Mike (Delia) Mekus, Karen (Roger) Valerio, Sally Mounsey, Scott (Tina) Mekus and Jennifer (Jeff) Koder; 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, as well as her brother-in-law, Arnold Gremaux; sister-in-law, Phylis Leithauser and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Glenna was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Donald Jeffrey Emahiser; granddaughter, Shamenn Mounsey; sisters, Norine (Glen) Long, Charlene Gremaux and Delores (Ralph) Brady and brother, Edward Leithauser.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 7th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church, 333 Brookside Dr. in Swanton, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am, with Fr. Eric Culler presiding. Interment will follow at St. Richard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Richard Catholic Parish, Elara Caring Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.