Mary Oehser

FRANKLIN - Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Oehser (Polk), loving mother, sister, grandmother and aunt, passed away on Aug. 11, 2022, dying peacefully in Jacksonville, Florida. She died of complications from ovarian cancer, which she fought for more than a year with the courage and heart with which she lived nearly 84 years. Liz was born in Irvington, Kentucky, on April 27, 1939, living as a child in Cannelton, Indiana. She lived briefly in her early twenties in Los Angeles, California, then worked for Atlas Van Lines in Evansville, Indiana, where in 1964 she married Richard Edgbert Oehser (1930-2014), her husband of 22 years.

Liz went from Evansville to live in Reston, Virginia; Seattle, Washington; and Jacksonville, Florida, before settling in Franklin – where she found her life’s work and owned/operated Buttonwood Inn from 1984-2015. She lived her final years in Jacksonville, Florida.

Friends and family were of utmost importance to Liz, particularly her loving sister, Linda, and her son, John. She was proud of her role as “historian” for Cannelton High School class of 1957. She loved travel, crafts, antiquing and Christmas.

Mary is survived by her son, John Oehser (Cheri); grandchild, Jacob; sister, Linda; nephew, Wesley; and brother, Ed Winn. She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence Polk, and mother, Mattie (Rhodes) Polk; sister, Ava Katherine Graves Polk; and brother, Emmett “Sonny” Winn.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32211.