D. Marie Gessner, 89, of Defiance, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2016 at CHP Defiance Area Hospice Inpatient Center, Defiance, OH.  
 
She was born on July 29, 1926 to Edward and Cora (Lehman) Flory in Defiance Co., OH.  On July 13, 1949 she married Robert L. Gessner, who survives.
 
Marie was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Defiance.  She worked for White & Sons in Milford, OH as a home economist, and had also worked at The Holiday Inn in Defiance.  Marie enjoyed golfing and walking at the Northtowne Mall in Defiance where she had logged over 15,000 miles..
 
Marie is survived by her loving spouse, Robert L. Gessner of Defiance, OH, 2 daughters, Nancy (Steve) Young of Lakeview, OH, and Kathy (Rick) Allomong of Defiance, OH, 2 sons, Rich (Tracy) Gessner of Phoenix, AZ, and Phil Gessner of Defiance, OH, 14 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren, a brother, Lee Flory of Canby, OR, and a sister, Martha Wolfrum of Defiance, OH.
 
She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Cora Flory, a daughter, Vicki Singer, 2 grandchildren, Jahanna Gessner, and Christopher Singer, and a sister, Thelma Shannon.
 
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 7, 2016, from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home, Inc., Defiance, Ohio.
     
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016,  at 11:00 am at the funeral  home, with Rev. Jim Brehler, officiating.
 
Burial will take place in the Riverview Memory Gardens.
 
Memorials are suggested to the St. John UCC, or South Richland Volunteer Fire Dept.