Miriam "Mim" Lucille Bable

Miriam “Mim” Lucille Bable, age 86, died Monday, October 25 at her home at Otterbein North Shore Community in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio.

She was born March 18, 1935, in East Fairfield to the late Alva and Ethel Henning Cope.

She graduated from East Fairfield High School in 1953, and attended secretarial school at Youngstown State University. Miriam married the love of her life, Donald C. Bable, on June 19, 1955, and they enjoyed 51 happy years together until his sudden death in 2006.

Miriam loved to tell the story of how “Donnie” was an eggman with less education than she had when they married. She never dreamt he would go on to obtain four college degrees and become a United Methodist minister. Without complaint, she took on the role of minister’s wife as he served five churches within the East Ohio Conference and then as president and CEO of Flat Rock Homes and Care Center for 22 years.

In addition to raising three children, Miriam was a talented seamstress who enjoyed teaching sewing classes at Stretch & Sew Fabric Store. She also worked as church secretary for several pastors at the First United Methodist Church in Bellevue, Ohio. In her later years, she was a dedicated volunteer at a fair trade store in Port Clinton.

Miriam was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved spending time with friends and family, especially her nine grandchildren. She will be fondly remembered for her generous and grateful spirit, tea parties, homemade pizza, sewing projects and love of flowers.

Surviving are her daughters, Beth Gildenmeister of Delaware and Jill (William) Geiger of Columbus; daughter-in-law, Marcia Bable of Columbiana; grandchildren, Eric and Alex (Alyson) Bable; Karl (Alex Halliday), Kurt (Liz), Corrine (Katie Clark) and Kraig Gildenmeister; and Zane, Ava and Lila Geiger; and her sisters-in-law, Marjorie Umstead Cope and Martha “Pat” Patchen Cope.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Dr. Donald Bable in 2006; her son, Bruce Eric Bable, in 2004; and her brothers, Curtis and Glenn Cope.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Monday, November 22, 2021, at East Fairfield United Methodist Church, East Fairfield, Ohio, with Reverend Lisa Courtwright officiating.

A graveside committal service will follow at East Fairfield Cemetery.

Visiting time with the family will take place at the church both at 11:30 a.m. prior to the service and immediately following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Flat Rock Homes and Care Center, Flat Rock, Ohio 44828.