In Memoriam
Barbara Jean Schroer
Barbara Jean Schroer, age 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of January 2, 2022. She was born August 31, 1941, in Muncie, Indiana, the first child of Harry Lindley and Clara LaVella (King) Lindley. She married Kenneth L. Schroer on October 12, 1963. Prior to her marriage, she was a college student at Ball State University. After marriage, she and Ken raised their children on their registered dairy farm where the city girl learned to take care of calves, milk cows and make hay in New Knoxville, Ohio. She became well-known for her skills for creating beautiful cakes for weddings and special occasions. She was active throughout her children’s lives in volunteering as a teacher at Vacation Bible Schools and church, helping at school activities and with their 4-H projects. During the late 80’s and early 90’s she ministered as an aide at several nursing facilities in the region. After the kids left the nest, she returned to school and got her medical transcription certificate. She worked as a medical transcriptionist for 10 years in various hospitals in the area. In 1995, she and Ken left New Knoxville and relocated to Bellefontaine where they spent 26 years together in retirement and traveling across the country. Celebrating the life and legacy she leaves behind includes her husband of 58 years; three children: Cheryl (James) Schroer-Oechsle, Van Wert, OH, Juli (Jeff) Lubelczyk, Elkridge, MD and Scott (Holly) Schroer, Bellefontaine; grandchildren: Harrison, Matthew (fiance’ Mackenzie Ray) and Korey (fiance’ Torie Bockey) Oechsle; Tanner, Rachael and Gavin Schroer; step-grandchildren Stephan (Crystal) Oechsle, Tre Sherman, Rayonna Sherman and great-granddaughters, Kensley Oechsle and Maisyn Miller. siblings: Robert (Sylvia) Lindley, Betty (Roy) Clark and Katherine (Jack) Riviello; brother-in-laws Lloyd Schroer and Dick (Nancy) Schroer and sister-in-law Carolyn Grossman, and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
cy L. Kaiser at the Bryn Zion Baptist Church. A man of faith, Dale was a lifelong member of the Bryn Zion Baptist Church. Dale was currently employed as a district manager of DHI. This year was his 47th year being employed with DHI. With a love for the outdoors, Dale was often tending to the needs of the farm. He enjoyed his draft horses with his family and was a past member of the Morrow County OHC. Dale enjoyed being in the woods as he also really liked cutting wood. With his gift of being mechanically inclined, Dale also liked being able to fix anything and everything for his family. He enjoyed working on his farm equipment, especially his tractors. Dale also indulged himself with his Corvette and various motorcycles over the years. Dale’s greatest title came when he became Poppy. He loved nothing more than getting to spend time with his family, especially his grandkids. It was daily you would hear the kids say “Poppy lets do this or that, Poppy, Poppy, Poppy”. It was ALWAYS POPPY!! Dale would take them to the creek to skip rocks, take them camping at Lake Erie and other many adventures. Dale also was easily talked into going to auctions with his son and would come back with many “good deals” he didn’t always need. His family was fortunate to travel many times together to the Smokey Mountains, traveling to many trap shooting events with his son, and also traveling to many horse shows over the years. These will always be great memories to cherish and remember. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Nancy; children: Sarah (Heath) Ratcliff of Fredericktown, and Grant (Sarah) Higgins of Fredericktown; grandchildren: Ryder, Rylee, and Rhett Ratcliff, and Drew Higgins; siblings: John Higgins of Mount Gilead and Nancy (Bernie) Kessler of New Washington; and nieces: Jennifer Higgins of Centerville and Dr. Michelle Higgins of Portland, ME. Dale was preceded in death by his parents: Ned and Bertie; brother, Robert; and one little angel of Poppy’s.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, Clarence and Esther Schroer, two grandsons: Andrew and Peter Lubelczyk and several other in-laws and cousins.
A service to celebrate his life was held at Bryn Zion Baptist Church on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, with Pastor Jeff Hubschman officiating. Burial followed on the family farm.
A celebration of life was held on Friday, January 7. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Kennedy Krieger Institute. Please direct your gift to the Office of Philanthropy, Kennedy Krieger Foundation, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 or KennedyKrieger.org/ Tributes.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Bryn Zion Baptist Church.
Dale L. Higgins
Dale L. Higgins, age 67, of Fredericktown, entered into Heaven Wednesday, December 8, 2021, following a brief illness. He was born on July 17, 1954, in Mount Gilead, to the late Ned P. and Roberta “Bertie” M. (Geyer) Higgins. Dale attended Northmor Schools and graduated with the class of 1973. While in school, Dale also attended Pioneer where he studied in diesel mechanics. On September 4, 1982, Dale married the love of his life Nan20
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OHIO NEWS
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
Judy
McCarty
Judy McCarty, 75, of Rexford, KS, died Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Citizens Medical Center, in Colby. She was born August 27th,1946, in Rochester, NY to Francis Crawford and Mona (Swayze) Crawford. After high school she attended Mansfield University in Pennsylvania where she obtained a degree in education. She did her student teaching in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, a small community in Northeastern PA, where she met a fellow educator – Tom McCarty -and her life’s work began. Judy loved teaching and during her years at Wyalusing she touched the lives of many young children – many of whom still talk to this day about their memories of her. Always passionate about education, she later served for many years on the Wyalusing School Board where she was a tireless listener and advocate for students.
