Ann Berkebile Baither [1930-2014]; Church volunteer also horse enthusiast

Published: Monday, 3/24/2014

BY MARK REITER BLADE STAFF WRITER

Ann Berkebile Baither, an Ottawa Hills resident who was a volunteer at St. Michaels in the Hills Episcopal Church and past board member of Sunset House, died Saturday in Lakes of Monclova Health Campus in Monclova Township. She was 83.

She died from complications following a cardiac procedure she received about two weeks ago, according to her daughter, Martha B. Conrad.

Mrs. Baither grew up in South Toledo and lived most of her adult life in Ottawa Hills. She belonged to the Garden Club in the village, was a member of the Altar Guild at St. Michaels Church, and served on the board at Sunset House, Mrs. Conrad said.

She was born Aug. 7, 1930, in Toledo to Elizabeth and Orris Berkebile. Her grandfather, John H. Berkebile, was a prominent Toledo building contractor who directed the construction of many landmark structures, including Scott and Waite high schools, the former Willys-Overland Motors Inc., and numerous other schools and churches.

He entered the business in 1888 with Henry J. Spieker and held the title of president from 1914 to 1922. During that time, the old Toledo Edison Building, the Toledo Museum of Art, the old Toledo Public Library, the Toledo Club, and Collingwood Presbyterian Church were built by the firm. He left Spieker and organized his own general contracting company with his son, Orris Berkebile, in 1922 under the name of J.H. Berkebile and Sons.

Mrs. Conrad said her mother was very proud about the landmarks that were constructed under the direction of her father and grandfather.

Mrs. Baither graduated in 1948 from Maumee Valley Country Day School. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington.

While at IU, she met James D. Greek. They were married on Nov. 10, 1951. Mr. Greek, who was a purchasing agent for AP Parts Corp., died in a car accident on the Indiana Turnpike near Angola on Oct. 1, 1957.

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Ann Berkebile Baither [1930-2014]; Church volunteer also horse enthusiast