February 2025
Marilyn Jean (Parrett) Zimmerman -
Marilyn Jean (Parrett) Zimmerman, who passed away on February 13, 2025, was the wife of Rev. Paul Zimmerman, a retired elder in the United Methodist Church.
Marilyn was born on May 7, 1937, in Washington CH to the late Robert and Loa (Straley) Parrett. She grew up on a small farm in Fayette County. She was a 1955 graduate of Washington High School and attended Asbury College where she earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.
Alongside her husband, Rev. Paul Zimmerman, a retired elder in the United Methodist Church, they served in the Indiana Conference from 1963 until transferring into the West Ohio Conference in 1980, serving Bloomingburg-Madison Mills (CS) 1980; Liberty Chapel (D) 1989; and St Paris (S) 1993, retiring in1997.
Marilyn was an elementary school teacher, a music teacher, a private piano instructor, a museum guide, and a church choir director who wrote her own Easter Cantata. She wore many hats in her spare time.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, whom she married on August 8, 1959; her children, John Kenneth (Kitty) Zimmerman of Camilla, Georgia, Karen Kay Zimmerman of Washington CH, Kurtis Paul (Cynthia) of McAllen, Texas, and Christina Joy (Phillip) Webb of Washington CH; eleven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a host of dear and special friends.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the Summers Funeral Home, Washington Court House, from 4-6:00 p.m. In keeping with her wishes, cremation is to follow. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Obituary
Condolences may be left online or sent to Rev. Paul Zimmerman, 643 High Street, Washington Court House, Ohio, 43160.
John Delmer Hart -
John Delmer Hart was the spouse of Rev. Melissa Hart.
In addition to his spouse, remaining to cherish John’s memory are son, Luke Hart; sister-in-law, Dawn Jacobs; brother-in-law, Mark (Janay) Jacobs; many nieces and nephews; and many friends he loved as family.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 28th from 6:30-8:30pm and Saturday, March 1st beginning at 9:30am with the memorial service to start at 11am at Shalom United Methodist Church, 4925 Plum Rd, Carroll, OH 43130. Rev. Dr. Scot Ocke will be officiating, and lunch will be served after the service. Anyone wishing to view the service online can watch the livestream on Facebook at Shalom United Methodist Church – Carroll or on the church website at www.shalomumchurch.org. Interment will be at Wakeman Cemetery in Waterville, OH at a later date. Military Honors will be conducted by the Whitehouse American Legion Post #384.
Memorial donations in John’s memory may be directed to Luke Hart’s College Fund. Checks should be made out to Melissa Hart and may be sent to Shalom United Methodist Church at the address above.
John will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Click here to read the full obituary.
January 2025
Lary Dale Luzader -
Lary is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rev. Dorothy Ann Luzader, his two sons, David Luzader, daughter-in-law Catherine Finney Luzader and grandsons, Joshua, Samuel, Jonah, Michael and Benjamin, son the Rev. Stephen Luzader also his sister Jean Marie Gastonguay of Cleveland, Ohio.
In early years he was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America. As an adult leader for 25 years Lary led scout trips to summer camps and National and International Scout Jamboree's. Both of his sons became Eagle Scouts.
In retirement Lary was involved in Gideons and loved doing campus distributions of the Bibles with the students.
A longtime church member, he worked with the men's group ARMM, attended Men's Bible Study and co-lead day trips for seniors at Anderson Hills Church.
Leisure travel was a priority with his wife and family, sailing the 7 seas and touching every continent. Trips to Disney World and the Disney Cruises, all recorded by his favorite hobby of photography.
A fall resulted in a brain bleed snuffing his life in 12 hours on Thursday January 16, 2025 devastating the family.
A private burial for the family will be February 5, 2025 at Spring Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Jon Ferguson of Anderson Hills Church presiding. There will be a military presence. T.P. White will be serving the family.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Peggy Shimer -
Shimer is surivived by her husband, Rev. Dr. Mark A Shimer, daughter Teresa (and John); son, Chris (and Renee); and granddaughter, Madeline.
As a clergy spouse, Shimer served with her husband in the West Ohio Conference with the following congregations: Bowersville Paintersville 1984; Bowersville 1985; Dayton Grace Assoc (DS) 1991; Springboro First (W) 1998 and Defiance St Pauls (NWP) 2007.
She was an important consultant during Mark’s Doctoral program. Yet, while supporting Mark, in her own quiet way Peggy was a strong, independent, and loving person in thought, word, and action. Starting in seminary and as they moved within the Conference, Peggy worked as secretary and office manager in various settings including Capital University, a local newspaper, and Clinton Memorial Hospital.
Peggy's children were constantly in her heart, and they were not afraid to call her for a listening ear and wise advice. When her granddaughter was born, she retired to become full-time grandma. Mark cannot define in words how much Peggy will be missed. In addition to family, Peggy was a lover of animals, especially dogs and cats. She also was passionate about her opportunity to volunteer time and effort at the food pantry at St Paul’s UMC in Defiance. Your support of local food pantries, county animal shelters or a local Humane Society would make Peggy very happy and appreciative.
Dr. Philip Walter Compton -
Dr. Philip Walter Compton, age 82, of Bluffton, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. He is survived by his wife, LaDonna G. Shively, daughter, LeAnn (Raymond) Pryor of Ada; two grandchildren: Kelsey (Brendan) Tisher and Kyle (Raina) Zimmerly; great grandchildren: Isla and Brewer; brother, Ralph (Patti) Compton; a sister, Carol (Wayne) Spangler; and a bonus sister, Jaci (Joel) Cox.
Compton served as pastor for Rhinehart United Methodist Church and the chaplain for the Ada Liberty Fire Department. He was a co-founder of the West Ohio Food Bank and Table One Restaurant.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West Ohio Food Bank and/or the Mennonite Memorial Homes Benevolent Aid Fund.
December 2024
Mrs. Wanda Beth Boggs -
Born January 19, 1928, she was preceeded in death by her husband Rev. Clarence Eldon "Evarts" Boggs. Rev. Boggs and his wife served as missionaries to Japan, raised five children, and served in ministry to the West Ohio Conference as a pastor for 29 years prior to his death in February of 2000.
Condolenses may be sent to: 4900 Ninebark Court, Fort Collins, CO 80528
Randall M. Flory -
Randy is survived by his wife Rev. Laura Griffin as well as many family members listed below.
He was born November 17, 1972 in Dayton, OH. Randy was a 1991 graduate of Eaton High School; was a lifelong Preble County farmer and was also a local welder and diesel mechanic; was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, enjoyed collecting John Deere tractors, and enjoyed building and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.
He was preceded in death by his father Donald Flory; and uncle Toney Flory along with numerous other aunts and uncles. He is survived by his mother Dottie Flory of Eaton; daughters Hayley (Daniel) Flory-Perry of West Alexandria and Sydney Flory of Eaton; wife Laura Griffin of Eaton; sisters Tanya (Doug) Henning of Eaton and Tamera (Patrick) Jones of Camden; brothers Thomas (Griselda) Flory of West Manchester and Rodney (KeLinda) Flory of Dublin; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Services have previously been held. Memorial contributions may be sent to the ALS Association, 1300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209.
To make online condolences and other remembrances to the family, click here.
Scottie Sue Crabtree -
Scottie Sue Crabtree, age 87 passed away on December 24, 2024. She was preceded in death in 2019 by her husband of 61 years, Rev. Dr. Lowell Dean Crabtree.
As a clergy spouse, she dedicated her life to being his partner in ministry, serving for five years at Frazeysburg and Perryton (Muskingum County) United Methodist Churches, and Bethel United Methodist Church (Clermont County), from 1979 until retirement where they then attended Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church (Brown County). Upon moving to Hillview Retirement Center in Portsmouth, they attended Cornerstone United Methodist for several years. Her greatest passions in the church were love and care of the congregations and serving as the choir director for many years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wesley Village renovation fund. Checks should be made out to Hill View Retirement Center and in the memo line, denote that the donation go to the Wesley Village renovation fund. Address is 1610 28th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
Memorial services will be held at Hillview Retirement Community in the Forest Room on Saturday, February 8, 2025, with visitation at 12:30 p.m. and service at 1:00 p.m.
Rev. Dr. George Phillips -
The Reverend Dr. George Phillips of Mason, Ohio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, December 22, 2024.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 39 years, Deborah Jane (Holcombe) Phillips, his surviving sister, Karen (Nevin) Seus of Bradenton, FL, his children, Katie Powell, Carrie (Drew) Powers, and Jensen Phillips, and grandchildren, Brenna, Liam, Natalie, and Ethan.
Miller served in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church at Cairo UMC, followed by appointments at Ware’s Chapel, Bluffton, Archbold, Centerville, Anderson, and finally, Mason. In retirement, he Served as Chaplain at Otterbein Sernior Life Community.
Services were previouly held at Otterbein Senior Life Community in Lebanon, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, George requested that donations be made to the Otterbein Benevolent Fund in his honor.
Click here to read full obituary.
Rev. Paul W. Miller -
Born on August 3, 1924, in Wetzel, Ohio, to Henry A. and Mary (Wisher) Miller, Paul lived a remarkable life filled with service, compassion, and dedication to others. He married the former Lorraine Clear who preceded him in death on October 11, 2014.
Miller served as a pastor in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church to these congregations: Grover Hill Charge 1961; St Paul's (Payne) 1965; Wesley (Van Wert) 1971; Wesley (Marion) 1977; Bethany (Celina) 1981; Van Wert Calvary-Pleasant Chapel (D) 1992; Countryside Chapel (D) 1994; Wren (D) 1994
He was a member of the Van Wert American Legion and First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.
Miller is survived by his son, Bruce (Sandy) Miller of Ft Wayne; his brother, Richard “Dick” Miller of Van Wert; 7 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren; and 1 great great great grandchild.
In addition to his wife, Lorraine Miller, he was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary; daugther, Paulette Burnett; an infant son, Brian Miller; brother, Rev. Carl W. Miller; and sisters, Margaret Claypool Slusser, Nellie Adams and infant Ruby Miller.
Funeral services were previouly held. Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.