Sarah E. Fortney

Sarah Fortney passed peacefully at the age of 93 on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. Sarah was born in Radford, Virginia on July 16, 1929. She is survived by her children Ruth Ann (Daniel Maloney), Kay, Kim (Gary Brown), and Clark (Heather McKay); grandchildren Faye and Lila Brown (Andrew Hursey), Houston Fortney (Carrie Gerding), Colleen Sprunger (Ethan Sprunger), and great-grandchildren Andrew and Gage. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years Ernie Fortney, her mother Faye Epperly, and her brothers Raymond and Warren Epperly.

Faith and family were the guiding principles in Sarah’s life. Sarah’s character was formed by the example of her mother, a hardworking mom who raised her and her brothers through difficult times, always positive and never complaining.

Sarah was an excellent student and graduate of Fairmont State in West Virginia. She worked for a number of years and then moved from West Virginia to Columbus where she met Ernie at North American Rockwell. They were married in 1957. She left the workforce to raise her four children.

Sarah eventually returned to the workforce, and felt that her work was her ministry serving God. She worked for Shady Lane Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University. She also served on numerous church boards and committees in various capacities. Through her church service and membership, she made a difference in many peoples’ lives and developed many life-long friendships.

After her retirement, Sarah enjoyed traveling and spending time with Ernie and their children and grandchildren. Sarah was devoted to her family and was the primary caregiver to her mother and her husband for many years.

In Sarah’s own words, “it is always a blessed assurance to know that God’s with me, guiding me, nudging me, to do those things that are pleasing to him.“ Sarah was “proud of her family, Ernie for his faithfulness, devotion to family, and meeting the family’s needs, including her mothers for 13 years; and her children, for being loving, attentive and responsible.”

Those who knew Sarah loved her, and admired her for being resilient and strong, especially in her later years.

The family is grateful to the medical team at The OSU Wexner Medical Center who took care of her throughout the years until the time of her death.

Family and friends will gather for a memorial service on May 20 at 11:00 AM at Mifflin Presbyterian Church, 123 Granville Street, Gahanna Ohio. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mifflin Presbyterian Church. Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Northeast.