OAKWOOD – Eunice Marie Carnahan Bradford, age 91, passed away Sunday morning at her home near Oakwood. Eunice was born in Brown Township, Paulding County, on December 16, 1921. She was the fifth child of Marion and Elsie (Fuller) Carnahan, who because she was much younger than her siblings, developed close relationships with many of her nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Oakwood High School in 1939 Eunice received a secretarial degree from International Business College in Fort Wayne, IN. She worked at Royal Typewriter Company and WOWO Radio Station.
Eunice married Ralph Allen (Johnny) Bradford on April 21, 1945 and he preceded her in death on January 15, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Ethel Specht, Laurel Carnahan, Guy Carnahan, and Clair Carnahan, and two grandsons, Travis Bradford and Troy Spitnale.
She is survived by daughters, Jerrolyn (Charles) Parrett and Patricia Spitnale, and a son, Lynn (Sandy) Bradford. Also surviving are grandchildren, Judd (Myra) Parrett, Joel (Heather) Parrett, Jon (Lesley) Parrett, Jandra (Keith) Kilgore, Chad Bradford, Rusty (Jessica) Bradford, Casey (Ben) Homier, Julie (George) Mast, and Scott (fiancé, Brittany Cowgill) Spitnale, great-grandchildren, Justin, Cole, Madison, Jaylynn, Joselyn, Janae, Marley, Gavin, and Gannon Parrett, Brooke and Baylor Kilgore, Sam, Westen, and Emme Mast, Cody, Logan, and Finn Bradford, and Gracie, Ava, and Claire Homier, and great-great-granddaughter, Taelynn Parrett.
Eunice assisted her husband in farming and was a bus driver for Oakwood and Paulding Schools. She was a charter member of the Everwilling Club, the Hammer and Hands Dulcimer Group of Defiance, and a 4-H advisor for the Brown Bettys and Buster Browns. She shared her sewing and cooking talents with many young people over the years. She enjoyed playing cards with the Bunnies. Eunice was a member of the Twin Oaks United Methodist Church and its women’s group, and served as a Sunday School teacher and in various other capacities.
Eunice was honored in September of 2012 as the Grand Marshall by the Oakwood Homecoming. Eunice enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in basketball, softball, baseball, and show animals at the fair.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Twin Oaks United Methodist Church, Oakwood with Pastor Eric Dailey officiating. Burial will follow in Sherman Cemetery, Oakwood. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Oakwood and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to Cooper Community Library in honor of Troy Spitnale and Travis Bradford.
Condolences can be expressed at: www.heitmeyerfuneralhome.com.
