Mary Joan (Culley) Dwyer

Mary Joan (Culley) Dwyer, 90, went home to be with the Lord on June 23, 2016. She was born in Urbana, Ohio on September 10, 1925, the daughter of John P. Culley and Mary B. (Murray) Culley.
Mary graduated from St. Mary High School, Urbana in 1943, and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ohio in 1947. While studying to become a registered nurse, she was also enrolled in the Army Corp of Nurses, preparing to serve her country during WWII. Her career as a registered nurse began in Tucson, Arizona, treating quarantined patients at a tuberculosis medical facility. Upon returning to Ohio, Mary began work at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Urbana.
She married her beloved, John Mason Dwyer, on January 12, 1957. After only 12 years of marriage, Mary was left widowed to raise her five surviving daughters: Mary Margaret Tullis (Lee) of Marysville, Kathleen Rapp (Dale) of Springfield, JoAnn Sproat (Samuel) of Springboro, Carolyn O’Neal (Thomas) of Cable and Julie Markin (Terry) of West Liberty. Mary is also survived by her 14 grandchildren: Jenna and Lauren Tullis, Kimberlee James (Cole), Jeremy Rapp (Katie), Amber Holdeman (Nicholas), Hannah and Caroline Sproat, John Mason, Thomas Jr., and Andrew O’Neal, Seth, Casey, Brooke, and Neil Markin. Seven great-grandchildren: Braelynn Tullis, Holden James, Gavin and Jett Rapp, Ella and Grant Holdeman, and Austin Markin, as well as many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Libby Zettler.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents as well as brothers: Thomas, James, and Emmett, sister Antoinette, and special brother-in-law, Francis D. Dwyer, in addition to a host of many close friends.
She persevered through the most difficult of circumstances to become the greatest example of what every mother should aspire to be. Her ultimate joy was her family.
“To the world you were a mother, but to your family you were our world.”
A special thank you to her numerous caregivers and healthcare providers, especially during this past year.
Visitation is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 in the Walter & Stowe Funeral Home, Urbana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 in St. Mary Catholic Church, 231 Washington Ave., Urbana, with Father Matt Lee, Celebrant. Burial will follow services in Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Urbana University for the newly established Mary J. Dwyer Nursing Memorial Scholarship and mailed to University Advancement, Urbana University, 579 College Way, Urbana, OH 43078.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.