Ethel Gwendolyn Backensto McKim, 95, of Ashland, passed away Wednesday morning, March 7, 2018, at The Good Shepherd Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Campus in Ashland. She was born November 28, 1922, in Olivesburg, Ohio, to the late Omar and Bertha (Harvey) Backensto and was the last surviving child of twelve.

Ethel was a 1941 graduate of Madison High School. Welcoming a challenge and wanting to see the world, she entered the U.S. Air Force serving in the Women’s Army Corp. She had the pleasure of attending an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. at age 91 to view the WWII Memorial. While in the service, she served under General Douglas MacArthur, working on airplanes in New Guinea and the Phillippines. She retired from Luke Air Force Base and began her civilian career at Dominion Electric. Ethel retired from Rogate Industries.

A free spirit with a sense of adventure, one of her favorite activities was riding motorcycles with her husband, Don. She enjoyed bowling with him in several area leagues over the years. Ethel enjoyed traveling with her family and trying her luck at casinos and in Las Vegas. Most of all, she will be remembered as a wonderful, loving caretaker for her entire family.

She is survived by a step son, Philip Ohl of Ashland; grandson, Donald R. (Mary Beth) McKim of Goodyear, AZ; step grandsons, Barry (Susie) Ohl of GA and Kenneth (Lori) Kreiger of IN; a daughter-in-law, Deanna Kreiger; numerous nieces and nephews; an extended family of numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many beloved friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Phillip Ohl; second husband, Donald H. McKim; son-in-law, Kenneth Kreiger; step son, Donald McKim; step daughter, Judy McKim; and eleven brothers and sisters, Howard Backensto, Charles Backensto, Francis “Jake” Backensto, Richard Backensto, Omar “Bus” Backensto, Pauline Tucker, Russell “Rutt” Backensto, Mary Leather, Robert “Jim” Backensto, Martha Backensto and Betty Backensto.

The family welcomes friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. The funeral service conducted by Pastor Karen Wagenhals will follow at 2:00 p.m. The U.S. Air Force will present military honors. She will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Richland County.