Mary A. (Sal) Hench passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2010, after a short illness. Sal was born in Latty, Ohio on December 16, 1925. She graduated from Paulding High School. After graduation Sal was a starting pitcher on the all girl fastball team the Ft. Wayne Daisies and worked as a secretary at Grizzley's in Paulding. On August 16, 1949 she married Theodore (Ted) Hench. Together they raised four children. Mark (Denise), Defiance, Eric (Deb), Defiance, Curt (Lois), Scottsdale, Az., and Karla, Indianapolis. They were also part of the founding partners of Chief Supermarkets, Inc. Sal was a community leader and philanthropist with her involvement in the Ohio Women's Golf Open, The Defiance Regional Medical Center Foundation, Holy Cross Catholic School, St. John Catholic Church, The Defiance College, The Community Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Ohio, The Defiance Area YMCA, Paulding Skate Park, The Gene Smart Center, and many other local organizations. Sal had a passion for people and sports. She was a avid golfer and held the city championship title for several years. Her love of softball was shown through her sponsorship of the Sal Hench Softball Field at Defiance College and the creation of the Karla M. Hench Softball Training Room at the University of Michigan. Many fall Saturday afternoons Sal could be found watching Purdue, Notre Dame, and University of Michigan football games. She and her husband, Ted were members of several area dance clubs and were known for their grace on the dance floor. Some of the recognitions Sal received thoughout her life were membership in the University of Michigan Victor's Club, Defiance Chamber of Commerce, Mike Schultz Leadership Award, and an honorary doctorate from Defiance College. Sal was greatly loved by her children and her grandchildren, Anthony (Beth) Hench, Vandy (Dr. James) Chisholm, Abigail (Capt. John) Stehulak, Zachary Hench, Brian (Laura) Hench, Katie Hench, Jonathon Hench, Ted Hench, and Lindsey Hench. She has 5 great-grandchildren, Cassidy and Donevin Hench, Evan and Lillian Chisholm, and James Hench. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her mother Beatrice DeLaet Riedel, her step father Melvin Riedel, and an infant daughter. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 p;m to 8 p:m, and Thursday from 2 p:m to 5 p:m and 7 p:m to 9 p:m with a 8:30 P:M rosary service at Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home, 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance. A mass of reposition will be held Friday at 11 a:m at St. John Catholic Church, Defiance. Memorials may be made to St. John Catholic Church, The Defiance Area Foundation or The Defiance College. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.defiancefuneralhome.com at Sal's tribute wall.

Visitation

SEP 15. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT)

Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Visitation

SEP 16. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)

Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Visitation

SEP 16. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EDT)

Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Service

SEP 17. 11:00 AM (EDT)

St. John Catholic 510 Jackson Ave. Defiance, OH, 43512