Margaret L. "Peg" Wentz

Margaret L. "Peg" Wentz (Hemlinger), 83, passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2024, surrounded by family at Riverside Methodist Hospital. She is survived by her devoted husband, Don Wentz; sister, Sandy Renner (Lee): grandson, James "Max" Tobin; and best friend Karen Havreberg, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Peg was born to Robert and Kathryn Hemlinger on June 22, 1941, in Tiffin, Ohio. She was the eldest of seven children and was preceded in death by sisters Kathy Martin (George), Pat Edler (Ted) and Jane Kirchner (Bill); brothers Bob (Joann) and Brett Hemlinger (Becky); and daughter Jennifer Tobin (Bruce).

She graduated from Tiffin Columbian High School and attended The Ohio State University. After college she resided in Blacklick, Ohio, and worked as a photographer's assistant before returning to Columbus. She married Don Wentz in 1978, opened a private day care around that time and worked with children for more than 20 years. Teaching was truly one of her special gifts. The kids loved her, and she loved working with them.

Peg was a smart, creative, clever, charitable and caring individual. She was so much fun, with a wicked sense of humor. She always joked that the only trouble she ever got into at school was for talking. Almost everyone she met became a friend.

She loved woodworking and refinishing antiques. She and Don exhibited enameling on copper art at Winterfair. She loved photography and everyone could count on Peg to take photos at gatherings of friends and family. She loved nature and all animals, especially the raccoons and opossums in her back yard.

Peg was a former board member of Cat Welfare and co-manager of the Catique Retail shop, as well as a foster mom to many cats and kittens. Peg also volunteered at CHA Animal Shelter and fostered dogs for many years. She loved birdwatching, was an avid reader, took pride in completing the New York Times daily crosswords and enjoyed her complete back yard garden.

She and Don kept their sailboat on Marblehead peninsula and enjoyed entertaining family and friends while sailing western Lake Erie for nearly 30 years.

We would very much like to thank Dr. Philip Diaz and the OSU Pulmonary Care team for many years of excellent care.

Peg's joy of life, compassion and sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cat Welfare or Columbus Humane. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Peg’s life at a Memorial Gathering on January 3rd from 4pm – 6pm at the Shaw-Davis Funeral Home at 4341 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43214