Mary H. Saluke

September 26, 1925 - May 15, 2018

SALUKE, Mary Helen (Karst), of Dayton OH, 92, died on May 15, 2018, after a short illness while under the care of Ohio's Hospice of Dayton. Mary was born in Huntington, IN on September 26, 1925 to Joseph and Anna (McNulty) Karst. She graduated from St Mary Grade School and Huntington Catholic High School in Huntington, IN and St Joseph's School of Nursing in Ft Wayne, IN (1946). She was a member of the US Cadet Nurse Corps. Mary married William Saluke, also of Huntington, IN, in September 1948. They moved to Dayton, OH in 1957. In addition to their parents, Mary was preceded in death by her brothers and their wives: John, Rob and Juanita, and Tom and Janet Karst. Also preceded in death by in-laws Max and Mary Hoch, Robert Saluke, Don and Ann Saluke, and Marilyn and Francis Gnau. She is survived by her devoted husband, Bill, and their ten children: Bill (Marian Woeste), John (Vita Walker, deceased), Jim (Barb Kemna), Mike (Julie Gay), Dr Ann Saluke (Don Yelton), Helen, Joe (Julie Stemley), Pat (Deb Malone), Dr Julia Saluke, Dr Rose Ebel (Jack), as well as 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by her brother, Phil (Jackie Fox) Karst, in-laws Carolyn and David Ruppert, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was an active member at St Mary Catholic Church, Dayton, where she served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, member of the Bereavement Committee and volunteer with the St Mary St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Over the years, she worked with the Southeast Priority Board, Calvary Cemetery Board and participated in numerous other community and church activities. Mary retired from Nursing at Miami Valley Hospital in 1990. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her extended family and was an avid card player, participating in the St Anthony Pinochle League for over 40 years. In May 2000, Mary was selected as the Miami Valley Mother of the Year by Dale Huffman, Dayton Daily News. She especially loved praying the rosary daily and trying to attend daily Mass whether at her home parish or at St Albert or at St Charles. Visitation will be held at Westbrock Funeral Home at 1712 Wayne Ave, Dayton OH from 4-8 PM on Friday, May 18. At 8 PM the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be said. There will be an additional visitation at St Mary Catholic Church, 310 Allen St, Dayton at 9 AM on Saturday, May 19 immediately preceding her Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Ave, Dayton. In lieu of flowers, Mary has requested that donations be sent to St Mary Catholic Church in Dayton, OH, or to St Mary's St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton.