Mildred Gritzan Naylor

Mildred Gritzan Naylor, age 90 of Massillon, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2011 surrounded by her daughters at Affinity Medical Center. She was born in Massillon on July 10, 1920 and was the daughter of the late Claude and Myrtle (Wilkerson) Julian. Mildred graduated from Washington High School in 1938. She worked as a Red Cross Volunteer for Massillon City Hospital during WWII. She also worked at the Massillon YMCA as a Secretary and at Republic Steel in Industrial Relations. Her family and her church were the focal points of her life. She dedicated her life as a youth to being a vibrant Christian and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Massillon. She taught kindergarten Sunday School for 25 years, served in the past as a Deaconess, participated in the church’s Shut-In ministry, and was a joyful member of the Grannies. She lived a life spreading joy and adding color to everyone surrounding her. She was a loyal friend, she tremendously loved her family, and her family immensely loved her. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Paul Gritzan, in 1989 and her second husband, Dr. Everett Naylor, in 2008. She is survived by her daughters: Carol Jenkins of Oakdale, PA, Jeanne von Gunten of Saratoga, CA, and Pamela (Paul) Dawson of Taylor, MI; her stepchildren: Charles Naylor of Plano. TX, Linda Platt of Newark, OH, Philip (Kathy) Naylor of Massillon, OH, James (Patty) Naylor of Knoxville, TN, and Mark (Cinde) Naylor of Hartville, OH; her grandchildren: Major Robert (Teresa) Jenkins of Sanford, NC, Dr. Melissa (Manuel) Jenkins-Fernandez of Oakdale, PA, David (Michelle) von Gunten of Capitola, CA, Stefanie von Gunten of Saratoga, CA, and Paul Dawson, III and Joshua Dawson, both of Taylor, MI; and her great-grandchildren: Rachel and Robbie Jenkins of Sanford, NC and Josefina and Paloma Fernandez of Oakdale, PA. A service to celebrate the life of Mildred Gritzan Naylor will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church, 20 Sixth Street SE in Massillon with Dr. Roger Alber officiating. Burial will follow at Massillon Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home from 4-7 P.M. and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. The family suggests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Massillon. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch – A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-4839