MOUNT VERNON – Mary F. Vilfer, 81, of Mount Vernon passed away on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Mount Vernon on June 12, 1941, to the late Clyde and Florence (Bennet) Huggins.
Mary had a variety of passions throughout her life. Her joy of cooking for others led to her first business. In 1968, she opened The Pizza House on Main Street in Fredericktown (presently where Peppy’s Pizza is located). Shortly after, Mary became pregnant with her daughter, so the pizza business was short-lived. Later, she started her own candle-making business in the early '70s called The Candlestick Shop. The business began in her home and then eventually moved to a little shop in Fredericktown, where she made and hand-painted candles. In 1985, Mary then went on to take Realty classes at Ohio State University and became a licensed Realtor in Knox County for several years. Later, she found great joy working in the hotel and hospitality industry in the Columbus area as a housekeeping manager. She enjoyed the variety of people she was able to meet and work with. In retirement, she pursued her other passions of baking, sewing and gardening.
When asked what achievement she was most proud of, Mary said her children. She is survived by three sons and a daughter: Mike Vilfer of Mount Vernon, Don Vilfer of Boise, Idaho, Jeff Hyatt of Mount Vernon and Teresa Vilfer-Snyder of Fredericktown. She also has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mary is also survived by her brother, Don Huggins; and a niece and nephew, Donna Jean Huggins and Donnie Huggins.
She lived her life for the Lord and was ready to return to him when he felt it was her time. Her children will be forever grateful to her for being the example that she was and for the love and devotion she gave to them throughout her life.
Mary had a love of animals. Almost every animal that she owned was adopted from the shelter or a stray. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make a memorial contribution to the Knox County Dog Shelter.
At Mary’s request, the family will be having a private memorial for their mother at a later date.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Snyder Funeral Homes, Dowds Chapel is honored to serve the family of Mary F. Vilfer.
