M.D. "Dee Dee" Persinger, 76, of St. Marys, passed on to her heavenly home at 5:10 A.M. Monday, April 3, 2023, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital.

She was born December 17, 1946, in Lima, Ohio, the daughter of Robert and Virginia (Bodkin) Wain Steiner. She married C. Lynn Persinger on April 2, 1966, at the Wayne Street United Methodist Church in St. Marys. He survives in St. Marys.

She is also survived by her daughters: Wendy (Mark) Knous of St. Marys; Angela (Randy Solly) Youngs of Celina; Marcy (Greg) Keith of St. Marys. She is survived by her grandchildren: Kelsey (Kirk) Greber; Joel (Aubrey) Knous; Jared (Mallory) Knous; Kegan Youngs; Turner Youngs; Grant (McKala) Keith; Alyvia Keith. She is survived by her great-grandchildren: Brendon Greber; Nora Greber; Carter Knous; Margot Knous; Emmalyn Youngs; Cohen Keith. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Bruce (Toni) Persinger.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert "Buddy" Steiner.

Dee Dee was a 1964 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School and always enjoyed helping to plan their class reunions. Dee Dee was a 1965 graduate of Lima Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She was a licensed practical nurse. She worked 17 years at the Valley Nursing Home before going to JTDMH where she worked 26 years, retiring in 2008. At the hospital, she worked in OB, outpatient clinic and finally in Occupational Health. She loved nursing work and everyone she worked with. She was involved in numerous activities over the years, but mainly things her daughters and family did. Family was so much a part of her life. She was a longtime member of the Wayne Street United Methodist Church where she started singing in the youth choir in 4th grade, then joining the adult choir in high school. She sang in the choir until 2009 when she had to quit due to health problems. To say that music was a big part of her life would not even cover it. Her faith and church family meant so much to her.

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Wayne Street United Methodist Church, the Reverend Tim Benjamin, officiant. Private family burial rites will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Wednesday at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, St. Marys, where memorial gifts may be given to either Wayne Street United Methodist Church or the Dee Dee Persinger Nursing Scholarship through the St. Marys Community Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to Dee Dee's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.