Sally J. "Top" Gotthardt

East Palestine- Sally J. “Top” Gotthardt, 86, passed away Friday surrounded by family at Christian House in East Palestine.

Top was born October 23, 1931, the daughter of Lloyd “Cy” Wilson and Margaret Kerchgessner. A lifelong resident of East Palestine, she graduated from East Palestine High School in 1949 and remained an ardent supporter of athletics there throughout her life. Top married Ernest Gotthardt in 1951, and they had two daughters. She and Ernie ran the Sports Center for 18 years before retiring in 1993. An avid golfer, Top was a longtime member of the East Palestine Country Club, participating in the ladies’ leagues. She was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church as well as the East Palestine Historical Society. She also played in a weekly card club with friends until her death. Top was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two sisters, Louise Blagg and Betty Zimmerman; and a brother, Lawrence “Bud” Wilson. She will be missed and remembered by her children, Deborah Ann (Ronald) Miller, of Salem; Diane Lynn (James) Hartford, of East Palestine; a brother, William (Shirley) Wilson, of East Palestine; as well as four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Friends can pay their respects at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, September 24, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow on Monday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Cindy Figley officiating.

Burial will be at Glenview Cemetery in East Palestine. Memorial donations can be made in her name to the East Palestine Historical Society or the East Palestine Alumni and Friends Scholarship Association.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com