Mary Louise (Horner) Flanagan, 98, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Birchaven Village in Findlay, Ohio. She was born July 27, 1927, in Findlay, to the late Aloysius and Gail (Stough) Horner. She grew up with her three sisters on the family farm on what was known as “Stough Road,” now Township Rd. 99. When the family moved to Findlay, her father made arrangements for her to ride a Greyhound Bus to Van Buren every day so she could continue to go to school there. She graduated from Van Buren High School in 1945. 

It was while in high school that she met Don Flanagan. She always said it was his blue eyes that got her! They married on Aug. 20, 1945, while he was on a 10-day furlough from the Army. The two were married for 69 years, during which time they raised four children on the family farm, traveled, and greatly enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Don passed away on Oct. 14, 2014. 

Mary Lou and Don were very active at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, serving on the Liturgy committee for many years. She worked as a fashion consultant at Paul Harris Stores at the Findlay Village Mall and thoroughly enjoyed helping women find their own sense of fashion. Among her family and friends, she was known as the one who always wore the bright or trendy outfits, including excellent shoes.

Mary Lou is survived by three children,12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren: Kathy Leibold of Findlay and her granddaughters Ashley and Taylor Leibold; Dennis (Diana) Flanagan of West Lafayette, IN, and their children Kristin (Tim) Harney and sons Matthew, Benjamin and Nathan; Shari (Andrew) Sinclair and daughters Grace and Ruby; Andrea, Joseph and Nicholas; and Kevin (Karen) Flanagan of Van Buren and their children: Sarah (Kathy Heinonen), John (Josie Caglianone), Michael (Morgan), and Michelle (Tyler) Ricker and son James. Her son-in-law, Fred Loach, survives in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: his children are Scot (Rebecca) and son Ethan; Andrew (Erica); and Deborah (AJ) Guillon and their children Zack and Evie; and grandchildren Theodor, Rita and Marie. 

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; daughter Julie Loach; grandsons Timothy Loach and David Leibold; son-in-law Larry Leibold; and sisters Thelma (Ralph) Slagel, Martha (Howard) Marks, and Joanne (Richard) Stacy. Two other sisters, Lucille and Evelyn, passed away in early childhood.

The family would like to thank the staff of Birchaven Village, Bridge Palliative Care, and Bridge Hospice for the care they gave her during her stay there. 

While Mary Lou is already dearly missed, she is surely rejoicing at her reunion with loved ones — and especially with Don. 

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm, on Monday, June 8, 2026 at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Ave, Findlay OH, with a scripture service beginning at 7:45pm. An additional hour of visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00am Tuesday at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 750 Bright Rd., Findlay, Ohio, with Fr. Scott Woods celebrant.  Interment will follow at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael Church, Bridge Home Health & Hospice, Heifer International, or the charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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