Marjorie Happeney

Marjorie M. (Rinehart) Happeney, age 91, surrounded by her family, went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on February 24, 2026.

Margie was born October 24, 1934 in Pickaway County, Ohio, where she lived her entire life. Her parents were Forest and Marvene (Peters) Rinehart. She had two siblings, Clarabelle (Carter) and Donald Rinehart, all of whom predeceased her.

Margie graduated from Circleville High School in 1952 where she was a member of the marching band. Six months later, she eloped with her high school sweetheart, Clarence Happeney. They remained married for 66 years until his death in March 2019.

Margie and Clarence began their life together courtesy of the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey, returning to Circleville after Clarence returned from Korea and was honorably discharged in 1954. They had four children: Clarence III (who died at birth); Kathy (Robert Cox) born November 19, 1957; Randy (Marcy Hutchinson) born September 24, 1958; and, David Happeney born February 13, 1960, who died as a result of an accident in 2010. She has 10 grandchildren: Lindsey (Cox) Sullivan, Lacey (Cox) Huffman, Andrew Cox, Stuart Cox, Lauren (Happeney) Sorey, Mitchell Happeney, Clayton Happeney, Maria (Happeney) Downey, Jackie Happeney and Brooke Happeney. All of her children and grandchildren have been very successful in life with parenting and careers running the gamut from high school teacher (2), to attorney, to artist, to rocket engineer. Margie has 20 great grandchildren. She knew every great grandchild by name up until the very end. Margie has 9 nieces and nephews, all of whom she remained close to throughout her life. Family reunions in the Peters and Rinehart families were a big deal and Margie seldom missed a gathering.

Margie’s work life included raising her family, running a family business, real estate and nursing. Margie became a registered nurse in 1986, at age 51. She worked at Adena Medical Center throughout her remaining work life as a registered nurse, retiring from nursing in August of 2013.

Margie’s hobbies included travel, ceramics and reading. Anytime someone called and asked her to go on a trip, she went. Clarence stayed home on the front porch. She was a voracious reader, often reading a book a day. Her home became a library.

Margie was a devout Christian who was a member of CCCU and later Emmett Chapel United Methodist Church. She seldom missed a Sunday service. Church and family were the centers of her small universe.

As a result of her faith, her sense of adventure and her medical training, Margie went on mission trips throughout the world including Africa, China, Central America and South America. Clarence stayed home on the front porch.

Family remained the focus of Margie’s life. After surviving raising David, she took a short break but then the grandchildren took over. All of the grandchildren would gather at grandma and grandpa’s on New Years Eve for a sleepover, an annual tradition that continued for many years.

Her faith sustained her throughout the difficult times in her life and was a constant up to the end, when she was ready to “go home.” Thus her family chooses to celebrate her life rather than to mourn her death.

Funeral arrangements include visitation on March 2, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wellman’s Funeral Home, 1455 North Court Street, Circleville, Ohio. A memorial service will be held at Emmett Chapel United Methodist Church, 318 Tarlton Road, Circleville, Ohio on March 3, 2026 with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., service at 11:00. A short graveside service will follow at Forrest Cemetery on North Court Street in Circleville, Ohio. Further details are available at www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.