Zella Lou Bluthardt, age 83, longtime resident of Troy, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at SpringMeade Health Center, Tipp City, Ohio. She was a loving daughter and sister, a devoted wife and mother, a favorite aunt, and a special friend. Her sweet spirit was a blessing to all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Bluthardt; parents, Ensel A. and Olive G. Shriver Metz; one brother, Ensel A. Metz, II; and one sister, Thelma L. Robinson. Survivors include her son, Mark W. Bluthardt of Troy; daughter, Olive D. Wagar of Troy; three sisters and a brother-in-law: Donna Metz, Beulah and Edmund Stelmach, and Shirley Wolodkin all of Wheeling, West Virginia; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Roger and Darlene Metz of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Masako Metz of Surprise, Arizona; three grandchildren: Joseph Wagar of Austin, Texas, Lisa Wagar of Searcy, Arkansas and Bethany and Bryan Welborn of Jackson, Tennessee. She was loved by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Florida, New York, Michigan, Texas, and Mississippi. Zella was born on January 14, 1929 in Beech Bottom, West Virginia. She was a 1947 graduate of Wellsburg High School where she played on the girls' basketball team. She was very proud of her West Virginia heritage and always looked forward to visits with family and friends. She diligently collected information and wrote two volumes of family history. She was baptized in 1954 and was a member of the Mid-County Church of Christ in Troy where she volunteered for 15 years at Thursday School. She enjoyed Bible studies and activities with the Mid-County Church of Christ Golden Climbers and the Tipp City Church of Christ Golden Years group. She worked in the offices at McGraw Chevrolet, Hobart Corporation, and Troy Sunshade. Zella treasured the memories of time spent with her grandchildren. Her hobbies included preserving garden produce, watching all sports, working crossword puzzles, collecting buttons and antique glassware, and reading books on her Kindle. She enjoyed making Anise Cookies, Apricot Lattice Cake, and homemade ice cream. Zella was well known for her many acts of kindness and compassion, especially sending cards with her favorite Bible verses: Numbers 6:24-26, "The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Mid-County Church of Christ, 1580 North Dorset Road, Troy, Ohio 45373. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Troy. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at Baird Funeral Home, Troy and from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Thursday at the church. Special thanks to the dedicated staff at UVMC, SpringMeade, and Hospice of Miami County for their compassionate care. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, P.O. Box 502, Troy, Ohio 45373 or Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp, 13500 Fort Hill Road, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Friends may express condolences to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.