Elizabeth Wirt Ohlinger

Elizabeth Wirt Ohlinger, 97

Elizabeth (Beth) Wirt Ohlinger of Babson Park passed away Monday, November 9,2015 at Grace Healthcare in Lake Wales.

She was born on April 9,1918 in Bartow to the late Erle Laurance and Elizabeth Blanding Wirt. Her family soon moved to their property on Wirts Point on Crooked Lake in Babson Park and she attended schools in Babson Park and Lake Wales, completing high school at Lake Wales High as salutatorian of her class. She found employment as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Walesbilt Hotel and for Latt Maxcy, among others in her life. After her marriage she and her husband, Robert, went to Clewiston to assist with support for Royal Air Force pilot training during World War II. After the war, Robert became a pilot with Eastern Airlines,which took them to New Orleans and Miami. They returned to Wirts Point where they owned Flying O Nursery, which distributed ornamental plants throughout Florida, and had several citrus groves. She was a lifelong learner and had varied interests. She extensively studied her family history. She greatly enjoyed crafts and distributed many products of her skill at needlepoint, crocheting and knitting to family members and friends. She loved aviation and animals,especially dogs and was seldom in her life without a canine companion.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hayes Ohlinger, her brother, Erle, her sister, Emma Schutz,and brother, Blanding and twin Anne, who both died in infancy. Survivors include her sons, Wayne L Ohlinger and wife Lynn of Babson Park and Pittsburgh, PA, and Robert H. Ohlinger, Jr. of Babson Park, three grandchildren, Laura Schulz (Tim), Desire’ Ohlinger and Allison Ohlinger, one great granddaughter, Anna Grace Schulz, and several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Pilots N Paws at 4651 Howe Road, Landrum, SC 29356, or online at www. pilotsnpaws.org.