Mary Ann Ater

July 29, 1931 - December 31, 2017

Mary Ann Ater, 86, of Chesapeake, Ohio, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2017, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. She was born on July 29, 1931, in Somerset, Ohio, the daughter of the late Phillip and Florence Allen. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Judge Kenneth B. Ater, brothers John, Jack and Gerald Allen, and a sister Evelyn Hampshire. Surviving members of her family include two brothers Russell (Tosie) and Neil (Mary Kaye) Allen, a sister Gracie Bartoe (Sterling), and sister-in-law Fairy Allen, two sons Kenny B. (Angela) Ater and Jon E. Ater, both of Chesapeake, Ohio, three daughters Karen E. Musser of Proctorville, Ohio, Cynthia K. (Harry) of Lexington, South Carolina and Amy (Marc) Jonescu of Peoria, Arizona. Grandchildren include Steven (Jenny) and Matthew Ater, Jonathan, Annie and James (Taylor) Ater, Jan(Heath)Smith, Lindsey (Laura), and Kylie Anne Stiltner, Olivia (Dean) Smith, Beth Anne (Jake) Hankins, Carrie Henson, Aaron (Amy) and Erica Dillon. Great-grandchildren include Hanna and Emily Smith, Casen and Reece Ater, Brandon Ater and Aiden Dillon. She had a special fondness for her nephews Rick and Kenny Breidenbaugh, nieces Missy Stewart, Phyllis Doyle, Beth Cooperrider, the Dowdy children, and longtime family friend, Bill Bias.
Mary Ann graduated from Ohio University with a B.S.in Elementary Education. She was a retired teacher from Symmes Valley Local School District, a member of the Lawrence County Homemakers Association and Eastern Star Theresa Chapter #257,OES in Proctorville, Ohio, and a member of the Chesapeake United Methodist Church. She was considered her husband’s greatest asset for his successful law career. Her interest included reading, gardening, music and birds.
A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018, in Clarksburg, Ohio. Slack and Wallace Funeral Home is in handling the funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to their charity of choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.