Cleo Ann Rywalski

Cleo Ann Rywalski, age 92, passed away on April 24, 2025 at the Elizabeth Scott Community facility in Maumee, Ohio. She was born at her family homestead in southeast Michigan on June 15, 1932 to the late George and Esther (Wagner) Neuman.

She went to high school in Blissfield, Michigan, graduating in 1950 and later attended Davis University for business studies and Whitney Vocational for dental assisting.

Cleo met the love of her life, Roman Rywalski, at a community baseball game in Blissfield in 1952. They got engaged on Valentine’s Day of 1953, and were married on September 5, 1953. After 65 years of marriage, he preceded her in death in 2018. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, George, Jr. and Arden.

Cleo raised three children and is survived by daughters, Teresa (Robert) Musser and Dianne Hillyer, and son, Michael.

She was active in the Child Conservation League, the West Toledo Garden Club, Girl Scout Troop leadership and the Toledo Dental Society. Cleo loved gardening, baking, singing and arts and crafts. She enjoyed decorating the family home to celebrate the holidays throughout the year. Baking Christmas cookies was her annual pastime and specialty.

Also surviving are her sister, Linda (Jeffery) Ehlert; sisters-in-law, Margaret Neuman and Lila Neuman; and five granddaughters, Julie (Ervin) Kosch, Laura Owen, Jennifer Musser, Kelly (Shane) Cody and Sarah Hillyer. Cleo also has four great grandsons.

A gathering for family and friends will be held on May 17, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 PM, both taking place at the Newcomer Funeral Chapel, West Sylvania, located at 3655 King Road, Toledo, Ohio 43617. Interment services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any donations be made in Cleo’s memory to Bittersweet Farms, Whitehouse, Ohio or to a charity of your choice.

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