Blanche L. Hagan

Blanche Lucille Hagan (Scheehle), 92, died on February 4, 2017 at her home in Thornville, Ohio. She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She had a sharp wit and a sharper memory. She also had a mischievous spirit?as a child, she said, she liked to throw her shoes out of the car window on family trips when she didnt like where they were going. As a mother, she delighted in the exploits of her three boys, and later, a consummate grandmother, she sewed elaborate and whimsical Halloween costumes for her four grandchildren. Above all, Blanche loved her family, and she led a full and varied life of much joy. Blanche, one of seven siblings, was born on June 25, 1924 in Martins Ferry, Ohio to parents Thomas and Lil Scheehle (Rothermund). After graduating from Martins Ferry High School in 1942, she worked as a junior draftswoman at The Martins Ferry Division of the Blaw Knox Co. during WWII. She attended the Elliott School of Business in Wheeling, and married classmate John William (Bill) Hagan after a postwar courtship on August 1, 1946.Blanche was predeceased by her husband of 69 years and is survived by; sons, Timothy (Sharon) Hagan, John (Deborah) Hagan and Dennis Hagan; grandchildren, Patrick (Beth) Hagan, Molly, Chris (Lindi) and Tom and her youngest sister, Alice Lucarelli.After settling in Newark, Ohio, Blanche anchored a solid support system for her growing family. Being from a large family herself, she enjoyed hosting get togethers to keep up with the lives of aunts and uncles, dozens of cousins, and grandchildren. The annual pool party at the Thornville farm was a summer tradition for many years.As her children aged out of high school, she returned to work as a draftswoman at the Division 5 headquarters of the Ohio Department of Transportation. Later she and her husband Bill ran a surveying business. Blanche was also an avid gardener; her vegetable garden provided a bounty of fresh vegetables throughout the summer. People loved her homemade catsup, though her cinnamon rolls and pies were just as popular. In retirement, Blanche and Bill enjoyed excursions with Freedom Years, a travel group for seniors. When Freedom Years led day trips through Perry County, they acted as hosts, welcoming visitors to their home for breakfast. Blanche and Bill, with their dog Gator, greeted the tour wearing overalls and holding a pitchfork.Family will receive friends at the Hoskinson Funeral Home, 56 S. Main St., Thornville, Ohio, on Sunday, February 12th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Donations to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, can be made in lieu of flowers.Please visit www.HoskinsonFuneral.com to leave an email condolence or to sign an online guest book.