March 2025
Shirley Jean Woodman Dewire -
Shirley is survived by her loving husband, Rev. Dr. Norman E “Ned” Dewire, married in 1957, and by two daughters Cathy (Bill) Gibson, Kettering, Ohio, and Deborah (Peter) Bolmida, Centerville (Dayton) Ohio; cherished Nana to grandchildren Matthew Dewire (Luciana), Rebeka Bolmida (Gus), and Rachael Watchorn (Cory), great grandsons Benjamin Adams, Liam Dewire, and great granddaughter Emily Rae Adams; sister-in-law Janet (Bill) Pfeiffer; nieces Jeanne Elam, Lorri (Greg) Stepp, nephew Bill (Colleen) Pfeiffer.
She was born on June 19, 1935, in Catawba, Ohio to Pern and Emily Davisson Woodman. She was preceded in death by her father, Pern; her mother, Emily; and sister (and brother-in-law) Marilyn Woodman Holleron and Tom Holleron. Shirley was a mother, teacher, and involved in community and church activities. A 1953 graduate of Northeastern High School, Springfield, Ohio, she then graduated from Ohio University (B.S. Ed) in 1957 and did graduate work at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ). Shirley and Ned started United Methodist ministry on the Jacksonville Circuit (Athens Co.), 1957-58; then the Charlton City United Methodist Church (Charlton, MA), 1958-1962; and Central United Methodist Church, Detroit, MI 1962-67.
During her first year of marriage, she taught full time in the Glouster School District (Athens County, Ohio). While in Montclair NJ, she was involved in the Essex County YWCA, did volunteer work for the World YWCA, was engaged in community activities, including being a Deacon in the Central Presbyterian Church, and taught in Head Start program in Newark NJ schools. While in Montclair, she began her lifelong entertainment of people from around the world. She and Ned traveled to more than 50 nations, mostly for church work. She taught at United Theological Seminary in Dayton. After moving to Columbus area, she became active in Church World Service (including State Board) and served fifteen years as trustee of United Methodist Children’s Home, twelve years a member of the West Ohio Board of Ordained Ministry, and member of local chapter of PEO as well as state board. A lot of social life revolved around the Methodist Theological School in Ohio for twenty years.
Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 15 at Friendship Village Dublin, 6000 Riverside Drive, Dublin, Ohio.
Inurnment will be later at David’s Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions, in her name, to the Scholarship Fund at Friendship Village of Dublin or to the Shirley and Ned Dewire Endowed Scholarship in the Patton College at Ohio University (OU Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, OH 45701.
Rev. Tood Frail -
Rev. Frail was born in Lima, Ohio, on March 7, 1945, to the late Richard and Dorothy (Werking) Frail. He was one of three children, with two sisters, Phyllis (Roger) Born, who predeceased him in 2020, and Donna (John) Osborn, who survives.
Todd is survived by his loving wife, Linda; two sons, Gabriel and Seth; a daughter, Megan (Eric) Schafer; and four grandchildren, Eowyn and Damien Frail, Memphis and Logan Schafer.
From 1967 to 1970 Todd attended United Theological Seminary in Dayton, graduating with a master's in divinity. In 1971, Todd met the love of his life, Linda Anderson. They were engaged in October of that year and married on June 24, 1972. Together, they shared a life of service and ministry.
Rev. Frail was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church and served for over 50 years, pastoring in different UMC Churches in the West Ohio Conference (Ridge Charge (L) 1968; Ridge-Kemp Charge (L) 1969; Athens First Assoc (A) 1970; Whitehouse Zion (T) 1973; Fremont Trinity (T) 1978; Stonybrook (CN) 1983; Troy First (DN) 1993; Westwood (C) 1997; Findlay St Andrews (F) 2001), where he formed lifelong friendships and shared his evangelistic mission. He retired in the Newark area, where he continued his ministry at First United Methodist Church in Newark.
Services for Rev. Frail will be held on Friday, March 7, at First United Methodist Church, 88 N. Fifth Street, Newark, Ohio. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a service immediately following.
Donations in Todd's memory may be made to First United Methodist Church in Newark, 88
N. Fifth Street, Newark, Ohio 43055 or to a charity of your choice.
The Newark Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
February 2025
Barbara J. Stewart -
Barbara J. Stewart, age 79, of Oregon, and formerly of Maumee, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2025.
Barbara was the wife of Rev. James R. Stewart who served a number of congregation in Kansas and West Ohio (Alexander EUB, Kansas 1964; Mc Cracken, Kansas -Yoked With Alexander EUB 1966; Cherry Grove (C) 1968; Bowling Green Trinity (T) 1984; Waterville (T) 1994; Weston (T) 2005) until he retired 7/1/2001.
As a pastor's wife, she was always very active in the congregations her husband served. She was strong in her Faith leading in everything the J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others, You). Whether the women's groups, craft bazaars, the Ladies Over 80 luncheon at church, or cooking and feeding an army. She was a very faithful caregiver to her parents as they were aging and very much enjoyed being a devoted mother and grandmother.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Rev. James Roby Stewart; children, Jennifer (Todd) Wuertz and Jay (Linda) Stewart; grandchildren, Shelby (Joe) Staudinger, Madison Stewart, and Conner Wuertz; great-grandchild, Kimber; and brother, William Moritz Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Richard Moritz.
A visitation will be held at Maumee United Methodist Church, 405 Sackett St., Maumee, OH 43537, Friday, February 28, 2025, from 10 until 11 a.m.
A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. The funeral lunch will follow services and be held at church. Burial will take place at 2 p.m. at Lake Township Cemetery, 3550 Walbridge Rd.
Memorial contributions are appreciated to Maumee United Methodist Church.
www.freckchapel.com
Leo Allen Brown -
Mr, Brown, the spouse of Rev. Rita Brown was born on October 13, 1952, in Defiance, Ohio, to the late Robert & Virginia (Warren) Brown. Leo grew up in Oakwood, Ohio and was a 1970 graduate of Oakwood High School.
Leo met and married Rev. Rita Brown in 1991, where she so willingly became an instant mom to his three children, Pete, Sara, and Kris. Whenever Rita’s ministry required a relocation to a new church, Leo so selflessly followed without hesitation. He supported her through her career and trusted God through it all. His faith was unwavering and admirable as he knew God would make a way for their family wherever He called them. They spent their marriage serving and blessing others – with him at the organ and piano and her at the pulpit in a number of churches in the West Ohio Conference: Oakwood First (D) 1991; Allentown-Zion Charge (L) 1996; Lebanon Assoc (W) 2002; Mills Memorial (CAS) 2007. Upon their retirement to Texas, Leo continued to share his musical gifts as the church organist at Quinlan United Methodist Church until the end of his life.
In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Rev. Rita K. Brown; son, Pete Brown; and sister, Cynthia Grimes. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: daughter, Sara Pollock of Morrow, Ohio; daughter and son-in-law, Kristine & Scott Reed of Fairview, Texas; two grandchildren, Blaine & Charleigh Reed; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob & Sue Brown of Oakwood, Ohio, Bill & Linda Brown of Antwerp, Ohio, and Larry & Diane Brown of Defiance, Ohio; sister and brother-in-law, Rainell & Bill Koenn of Cecil, Ohio; brother-in-law, Eugene “Beanie” (Gloria) Grimes of Toledo, Ohio; and countless nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:00pm at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, TX 75252.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9:30-11:00am, with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 11:00am at the Oakwood Community Church, 202 E. Harmon St., Oakwood, Ohio 45873. Inurnment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Oakwood.
To see the entire obituary please click here.
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.
Mrs. Roylene Reed -
Roylene spouse of the late Rev. Albert Reed. She supported Rev. Albert's ministry as they served these congregations in the West Ohio Conference: Broaddus U.M., Springfield, OH, West Ohio Conf., Lex., C.S. 1963; Braden U.M., Toledo OH, West Ohio Conf. 1966; C.C.O.M. Staff, West Ohio Conf. 1986; Trilby (T) 1989; Coord. Metro Ministries Toledo District 1990; LOA 1990; Retired 1995.
Roylene was born in Lockesburg, Arkansas to Lee Roy and Hazel T. Wilson. She joined Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas at a very early age. She participated in the M.Y.F., was a member of the Usher Board, taught Sunday School, and worked in Bible School. Upon graduating from Horace Mann High School she was awarded a scholarship from the U.M.W. of Wesley Chapel Church. She was also a recipient of the Rockefeller Scholarship for four years. She graduated from Philander Smith College and pursued graduate studies at the University of Arkansas. She taught three and a half years in the Little Rock school system.
On December 24, 1963, she united in marriage to Albert L. Reed and moved to Springfield, Ohio where Albert was a seminary student at Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Roylene taught in the Columbus school system. She continued her studies at The Ohio State University. In June, 1966 Albert and Roylene moved to Toledo, Ohio where Albert was appointed to Braden United Methodist Church. They lived and worked in the Braden community for twenty years. Roylene retired from Toledo Public Schools, July 1, 2000, where she taught for more than thirty years. She received a master’s degree from the University of Toledo. During this time two children were born to this union, a son Timothy Lee Reed, and one daughter Alberta Jean Reed-Freeman (Michael). She leaves one brother, Thomas Wilson.
Services have previously been held. Click here to read full obituary.
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.