Virginia M. Tangeman

Virginia Tangeman, age 95 of Maria Stein, passed away on March 13, 2026, at Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen. Born on October 22, 1930, in St. Peter, Ohio, to Henry and Anna (Fullenkamp) Gaerke, she grew up in St. Peter and graduated from Ft. Recovery High School in 1948. She worked at the former New Idea plant in Coldwater and later at Wright Patterson Air Force Base until her marriage.

On November 19, 1955, Ginny married Robert B. “Bob” Tangeman in St. Peter Church, Ft. Recovery. The couple shared 60 years of marriage until Bob’s passing on May 11, 2016. Ginny’s devoted care was credited with extending his life for many years.

She is survived by her six children: Nancee and Mike Winner of Greenville, Marie and Mike Everman of Celina, Jerry and Karen Tangeman of Maria Stein, Jim and Angie Tangeman of Maria Stein, Jon and Gina Tangeman of Marysville, and Scott and Linda Tangeman of Chickasaw. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and her siblings and in-laws Marcey and Dick Topp of Dayton, Lillian Gaerke-Homan of Coldwater, Dorothy Gaerke of Ft. Recovery, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A lifelong woman of faith, Ginny was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Maria Stein, where she served as a Sacristan and belonged to the St. John’s Ladies Sodality. She was a member of the Maria Stein American Legion Auxiliary Post 571 and served as its past president. She volunteered as a receptionist at the Maria Stein Shrine, belonged to the Adoration Guild, and gave her time to Baby Creations. Ginny found joy in flower gardening, working with her family at Tangeman Orchard, and baking—especially her celebrated cinnamon rolls, cookies, and pies. She loved playing pinochle, bridge, and 500 rum with family and friends for more than 50 years as a member of her bridge and couples pinochle clubs. In her eighties, she took up watercolor painting, and her family cherishes the many pieces she created.