LANCASTER, Ohio — Mary Lou Exline Holman, 88, of Glouster, Ohio passed away in Lancaster, Ohio surrounded by family in the home of her youngest daughter on February 26, 2026.
Born April 4, 1937 in New Straitsville, Ohio to William and Helen Spencer, Mary graduated from Glouster High School in 1955 before starting her family. After raising her family, “Scoop,” as she was often referred to, became the Glouster Correspondent for the Athens Messenger. She authored several articles and reports that survive today and preserve the rich, local and familial history of Southeast Ohio. She would eventually retire from the Trimble Wastewater District and dedicated her later years to loving her family and community. She was a member of the Glouster Church of Christ, and an avid supporter of the Trimble Local Textbook and Supplies Foundation. She enjoyed taking her grandkids camping and fishing at Ohio Power and was known for rooting for her Trimble Tomcats and Ohio State Buckeyes.
In her final days, she was surrounded by family who came together to comfort one another and celebrate her life and legacy. As she took her last breaths, family members were gathered by her bedside, singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”
She was preceded in death by: Husband, Fred Holman; Parents, William and Helen Spencer; Brothers, Dean and Charles “Chuck” Spencer; Brothers-in-law, Lorenzo “Buck” Hanning, Fred Cavey and Bob Lax; Sister-in-law, Linda Spencer; Nephew, Chester Hanning; Son-in-law, Ralph Lundsford; Granddaughter, Jessica Cottrill; Grandson, Todd Coey; Great Granddaughter; Alexia LaHut; and Step-Daughter, Carol Gaal.
She is lived on through: Sons, Rocky (Amy) Exline, and Terry (Jeri Lynn) Exline; Daughters, Sheila Exline, Robin Lundsford, and Frankie (Brian) Lent; Sisters, Helen Hooper, Billie Jean Cavey, and Cheryl Lax; Brother, Dale (Mary) Spencer; Grandchildren, Sonya Jenkins, Toby (Mandy) Coey, Jamie Decker, Jeremy (Cindy) Coey, Erica Exline (Jon Rees), Trent (Annemarie) Exline, Megan (Patrick) Tegge, Heather (Mike) Kaal, Lance (Dayna) Bonham, Kaitlynn (Matt) Mathias, Tristan (Jessica) Lent, Levi (Kiersten) Lent, Bryce Parker-Lent, Josiah Lent, and Troy Lent; 36 Great Grandchildren, 14 Great-Great Children, Stepdaughter Jan (Mike) Mauger and numerous nieces, nephews and step-grandchildren.
Gone, but never forgotten; forever in our hearts.
A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 3, 2026 at the Bishopville Church of Christ with Rocky Exline officiating. A visitation will take place on Tuesday at the church from 2 p.m. until the time of service. Contributions in memory of Mary can be made to the Trimble Textbook and Supplies Foundation, c/o Sandy Gyure, PO Box 187, Glouster, Ohio 45732. A message of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting the tribute wall at www.morrisonfc.com.
