Geraldine "Tootie" Faye (Caylor) Ames

Geraldine “Tootie” Faye (Caylor) Ames, 97, of St. Mary’s, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022, while a resident at Silver Creek Terrace in St. Mary’s, PA. She was born September 3, 1924, a daughter of the late Roy A. and Thelma (Stewart) Caylor in Ringgold, PA. On August 29, 1947, she married Walter Ames Jr., and they celebrated 52 years together until his death on January 25, 2000. They spent most of their married life in Ravenna, OH, raising their family with the exception of the first five years, which were spent in Cleveland, OH where they purchased their first home after her husband was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. Geraldine graduated from Punxsutawney High School in 1942. She taught school for 8 eight grades in a one room schoolhouse in Ringgold, PA. During World War II years, she worked as a teletype operator for Western Union in Sarasota, FL. After three years in Florida, she returned to the Ringgold area and worked with the Sylvania Electric Company in Brookville in the product engineering department as a secretary. Later in life, she worked for the Carlton Insurance Agency in Ravenna, OH. She and her husband were both employed by the Richey Halsted and Quick Company of Cincinnati, OH. Her husband was a lumber broker and she worked as his secretary in their home office for over 35 years. Mrs. Ames loved traveling with her husband, after their children were grown. They covered 49 of the 50 states and Canada. They spent several winters in Las Cruces, New Mexico and 25 years traveling across country to winter in Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, CA. She also treasured the weekend golf with the family and later, traveling to different places with special friends and always finding those special courses. She spent her quiet times reading and crocheting. She was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church in Ravenna, OH, where she enjoyed the Esther Circle as co-chairman, the altar guild for 6 years, and occasionally volunteering in the church office. In 2006 she became a member of the First United Methodist Church in St. Mary’s, PA. She was a member of the Eastern Star, No. 46, Ravenna, OH, Mother Advisor of Rainbow for Girls for several years. She also belonged to the Annevar Garden Club, the Coterie Club, and the “BE-GE” Shopping Club. Geraldine is survived by her two children: son, Jerry W. (Kathy) Ames and daughter, Susan L. Kunkel of St. Mary’s: grandchildren: Adrienne (Scott) Rapacki of Houston, TX, Sommer (Mark) Dunlevy of Kent, OH, William J. (Melissa) Kunkel of St. Mary’s and stepson, Nathan (Tiffany) Bordick of Newport News, VA: and great grandchildren: Nicole and Kevin Rapacki, Luke and Bryce Dunlevy, Makayla and AJ Bordick, Melia Jo and Talia Sue Kunkel; and many brothers and sisters in law; nieces and nephews; cousins and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Geraldine is preceded in passing by son-in-law; Don Kunkel; sister; Olive (Raymond) DeFoor; two brothers; William Caylor; Max (Donna) Caylor; aunt; Faye Martz and uncle; James Martz; and many brothers and sisters in law; nieces and nephews; cousins and friends. Family and friends will be received on Monday, March 21, 2022, from 1 to 2pm, at the McKinney – d’Argy Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Brookville, PA 15825. A funeral service will be held immediately following the viewing, beginning at 2pm. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Silver Creek Terrace, 791 Johnsonburg Rd., St. Mary’s, PA 15857, Langville Cemetery Association, or the Penn Highlands Healthcare at Home, 757 Johnsonburg-Saint Mary’s Rd #200, St. Mary’s, PA 15857. Interment will take place at Langville Cemetery, Langville, Jefferson Co., PA. Online condolences and other information may be found by visiting www.mckinneydargy.com

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