Celebrations of Life

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



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



Rev. Theron (Ted) Homer Smith, Jr -

Rev. Theron (Ted) Homer Smith, Jr, 96, passed December 12, 2024. 

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty: daughter Jocelyn (George) Gibbs, and sons, Kevin (Kimbalyn) Smith and Matthew Todd (Patricia) Smith; his grandchildren Sarah Ashley (Les) Cheung, Jordan Rachel (Jerram) John, Abigail Elizabeth (Jordan) Poppe, Mollie Grace (Adam) Vigeant and Stella Gabrielle Smith; and his great-grandchildren Finley Therese Cheung, Theron Reid Poppe, Silas Paul Cheung, Sadie Jean Poppe, Lev Michael Vigeant and Magnalia Grace Vigeant; bothers Mark Lynn Smith and Myron Ray Smith.

Rev. Smith and his wife began ministry serving churches in Whorton and West Union, Ohio. The later serves as missionaries in Southeast Asia as part of the Orient Crusades. Returning to Ohio, he and Betty served appointments to Linworth, Troy, Forest Park (Cincinnati), Walnut Creek, Livingston (Columbus), and Westerville.

A memorial service for Rev. Smith is scheduled for 11:00 am, Saturday, January 11 at the Cypress Wesleyan Church, 377 Alton Darby Creek Road, Galloway, OH.

To read the full obituaty, click here. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Asbury University / 1 Macklem Drive / Wilmore KY 40390 / www.asbury.edu noting the Myron R. Smith Scholarship Fund in the memo field, or to Hollow Rock Holiness Campmeeting c/o Rob Aukerman, Financial Secretary / 1958 County Road 51 / Toronto OH 43964 / www.hollowrock.org.



Rev. Jerry D. Wortham -

Rev. Jerry D. Wortham, age 91 of Lebanon, Ohio passed away peacefully on Monday, December 09, 2024, at Otterbein Lebanon.

Wortham's life was his ministry as a Pastor in the United Methodist Church. Hey served these churches within the West Ohio Conference: Essex & Mt Olivet (S) 1955; Casstown-Bethel (S) 1958; Aldersgate (C) 1960; Mt Victory (L) 1963; Cole Grove Memorial (P) 1965; Nast Trinity (C) 1971; Maynard Ave (CN) 1979; St Mark's (L) 1981; West Milton (DN) 1987; Hartzell (C) 1991

Jerry was a life time member of the Boy Scouts of America and a longtime member of Rotary International. He also enjoyed biblical archaeology and collected artifacts from the Holy Land.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (nee Culp) Wortham; children Jay (Lori) Wortham, John (Sheila) Wortham, and Mary Beth (John) Rutherford; step-children Karen (Billy) Colyer and Terri (Joel) Boyette; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law Judith and Mel DeWitt; as well as many other family members and friends.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 11:00 AM until time of funeral services at 12:30 PM, all at Stine Funeral Home of Lebanon. Immediately following services, Jerry will be laid to rest in Arlington Memorial Gardens in Mt. Healthy, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Boy Scouts of America Dan Beard Council or the Parkinson's Research Foundati


November 2024


Rev. Charles Amon Shook -

Charles was a lifelong preacher and teacher. He grew up in Maryland, but spent his lengthy retirement years in Florida. During his professional life, he served churches in Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Florida (Cedar Grove, Baltimore Conf 1951; In School, Memorial UMC, Beverly MA 1954; Buckeystown, Baltimore Conf 1958; Dept Children Publishing Genl Bd Ed, Baltimore Conf 1960; Faculty, Boston Univ School of Theol, Baltimore Conf 1966; Dayton Christ, WOC 1972; Epworth (T) 1978; Ch of the Saviour (C) 1986). He also taught at the Boston University School of Theology, where he earned a PhD.

For forty years, Charlie was married to Katherine Olewiler. They were the parents of four children, Karen, Steve, Cyndia and Jeff. In 2003, he married Lois Finley. In so doing, he also united with popular “Mama Lo” and her children, Scott and Susan. Charlie’s major interests were religion, music, literature, and sports. He was also fascinated by games and puzzles of every variety. In their retirement years, Charlie and Lois were active members of the Longboat Island Chapel, where Charlie did much of his teaching and preaching.

A memorial service was held on December 15th, 2024 at the chapel on the campus of Boston University School of Theology.

DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Longboat Island Chapel 6200 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228.