Mary Elva Wetli, age 79, of Defiance, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.

She was born January 10, 1947, in Corbin, Kentucky, the daughter of Frances (Wilburn) Littrell and Henry Boyd Littrell. She moved to Hillsdale, Michigan in 1968 after receiving a bachelor's degree in vocational home economics at the University of Kentucky where she was tapped for Phi Upsilon Omicron Honorary, was also granted a Danforth Fellowship, and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi-Gamma Zeta Master Chapter Sorority.

Mary began her teaching career at Camden-Frontier Schools in Camden, Michigan. While living and working in Michigan, she began graduate work at Michigan State University where she met her husband, Thomas Eugene Wetli. They married in August 1970. After a six year break from teaching to have children, she returned to the teaching career she loved and retired in 2005 from Central Local Schools after 27 years there. She had many loves: her job, crafting and sewing, cooking and baking, church, her sorority, sharing the hobby of antique cars with Tom, but most of all, her beloved family.

She leaves behind her son Douglas of Kings Mills, Ohio, daughter Karen (Steve) Walker and beloved grandson Alexander Walker of McCordsville, Indiana, her brother Boyd Wayne Littrell of Corbin, Kentucky, sisters-in-law Janie King of Toledo, Ohio, Theresa Ditton of Sedona, Arizona, Ann Moore of Clarksville, Tennessee, brother-in-law Lawrence Joseph (Nancy) Wetli of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, plus a host of loving nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends, who have been her constant support.

She was preceded in death by her beloved Tom, her parents, Tom's parents Rosemary and Eugene Wetli, and her sister Gladys.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Defiance. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 AM at the church, with Fr. Melwyn Menezes officiating. Mary will be laid to rest in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery.

Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.