Mary Lou Baxter, 83, of Hicksville, Ohio, passed away Friday, October 2, 2026, at CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Defiance, Ohio. Mary was born June 16, 1943, in Montpelier, Ohio, the daughter of the late Jay and Martha (Bechtol) Darrow. She married Roy E. Wright in 1964, and he preceded her in death on August 10, 1981. Mary later shared 37 years with Loren R. Baxter, including nine years of marriage. Loren preceded her in death on October 2, 2023. Mary devoted much of her life to caring for her family and others throughout the community. She primarily worked as a homemaker and caregiver, always willing to lend a helping hand to those around her. She also worked as a cook at the former Fountain Manor Nursing Home. Mary was a devoted member of Cecil Community Church. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was never afraid to share her faith with everyone she met, including complete strangers. To Mary, everyone had a place at her table, and she had a remarkable way of making people feel welcome and loved.

She was active with the Defiance County Senior Center in Hicksville, as well as the Bryan Eagles Aerie 2233 and Bryan Moose Lodge 1064. Mary was a true socialite who enjoyed being around people and rarely missed a church function or opportunity to gather with family and friends. Mary especially enjoyed playing bingo, euchre, UNO, and other card games with her children, grandchildren, and friends, with Skip-Bo being her favorite. She also loved watching television game shows, especially Price Is Right, Press Your Luck, and Deal or No Deal

Surviving are her four children, Debra Lee Perry of West Unity, Ohio, Harley (Becky) Wright of Hicksville, Ohio, Judy (Larry) Miller of Edgerton, Ohio, and LouAnn (Carl) Warner of Hicksville, Ohio; 18 grandchildren, Michael, Dlee, TC, ZG, Shane, Frank, Jeremy, April, Nicole, Nathan, Adam, Nicholas, Timothy, Breeann, Christopher, Brian, Adrianna, and Jessie; several great-grandchildren; and one brother, William Darrow of Bryan, Ohio. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Roy E. Wright and Loren R. Baxter; one son, Roy Wright, Jr.; two grandchildren, Mary Jo Wright and Shelby Wright; one great-grandson, Isaiah Garcia; and one brother, Duane Darrow.

Visitation for Mary Lou Baxter will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. at Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 706 North Main Street, Hicksville. Funeral Services for Mary will immediately follow in the funeral home beginning at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Michael Mohr officiating. Burial will take place in Forest Home Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made directed to Cecil Community Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family, or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com.