Roma Wilda Conrad, 96, passed away on Sept. 12, 2015, at Pickaway Manor, Circleville.
She was born April 13, 1919, being the middle of 11 children born to her parents, Ralph and Rose Peters.
She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws, Glen and Nellie Conrad. She was also preceded in death by brother, Ralph Peters; sisters, Charlotte Cozad, Zora Weiler, Gladys Valentine, Marvene Rinehart, Augusta Musselman, Thelma Purcell and Ethel Thompson; and granddaughter, Courtney Leigh Eitel.
Roma is survived by her husband of 73 years, Richard E. Conrad (the “Potato Chip Man”); and daughters, Marty (Roger) Eitel, Linda (Glenn) Reeser and foster daughter, Karen (Billy) Huffman. She is also survived by grandchildren, Erin (Dan) Reuter, Tracy (Matt) Reeser Witter, Tara (Jonathan) Reeser, Todd (Valorie) Huffman and Marcus (Tracy) Huffman. Also surviving are great grandchildren, JD and Brady Reuter, Austin and Michaella Huffman, and Evan Huffman. Roma is also survived by a sister, Dorothy (Annie) Richard; brother, Robert (Betty) Peters; and sister-in-law, Ruby Peters, all of Ashville.
Roma spent most of her life as a homemaker but did work outside the home at the Circleville General Electric plant and was a cake decorator for Wallace’s Bakery. She was a Girl Scout leader and also a volunteer at the Pickaway Senior Center and was an active member in the Christian Union Church. She enjoyed ceramics, reading and working word finds.
Her passion in life were her “children.” In over 56 years of babysitting, she helped mold the lives of more than 50 children, mostly arriving as newborns and keeping them through grade school. Teachers used to tell her they could tell which children she babysat for in their classrooms.
Roma was a very loving, gracious and giving individual, always trying to help someone.
Funeral services for Roma will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville, with Pastor Don Seymour and Pastor Jay Neff officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. Burial will be held at Forest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Berger Hospice, 1170 N. Court St., Suite B, Circleville, Ohio 43113; or Partners for Paws, P.O. Box 282, Circleville, Ohio 43113 in Roma’s memory. Dick and Roma were big contributors to any fund raising activities for Partners for Paws.
The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses of Pickaway Manor for their excellent and comforting care of Roma, and also the Berger Hospice for their excellent and heartfelt care of Roma.
Visit www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
