Obituaries - The Bedford Tribune

Obituary for Shelby Stevens

Guest Writer — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

CENTERBURG, OH — Shelby Stevens, 91, of Centerburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, September 23, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born on January 28, 1933, in Mitchell, Lawrence County, Indiana, to the late Shelby C. Stevens and Anna (Davidson) Stevens. On December 25, 1952, Shelby married Ruth Stevens, the love of his life, at the United Brethren Church in Freelandville, Indiana. They shared 71 wonderful years of marriage.

Shelby is survived by his son, Chuck (Linda) Stevens; granddaughters, Jennifer LeMaster-Senz (John) and Emily Stevens; grandson, Jackson Stevens; great-grandson, Trevor LeMaster (Destiny); and great-great-grandson, Wesson LeMaster. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth; his parents; his daughter, Sheila LeMaster and son-in-law, Keith LeMaster; and his siblings, Larry Stevens, Bobby Stevens, Jenny Sue Nicholson, and Catherine Earl.

Shelby was a dedicated member of the Centerburg Amvets and had many interests, including antiquing, hunting, and attending auctions, always in search of hidden treasures. He was deeply proud of his family, his service in the U.S. Navy. Shelby was a true patriot who loved his country and was passionate about traveling in his RV, cheering for the Columbus Blue Jackets, enjoying sprint car racing, and above all, spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, is honored to assist the Stevens family during this time. Memories of Shelby and messages of condolence may be shared at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.

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Obituary for Rebecca Ann Cleveland

Guest Writer — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Norway, Maine — Rebecca Ann Cleveland, 72 of Norway passed away Friday, August 30th with her loving family by her side, after 22 years of battling illnesses.

She was born in Uniontown, PA. on February 12, 1952 the daughter of Charles and Ruth Miller Yaugher. She attended school in Bedford, Ohio and graduated from Vogue Beauty Academy. On June 14, 1969 she married Jerome (Jerry) Cleveland, Sr. , her high school sweetheart and the love of her life for over 60 years. Married for 55 years, Jerry thanks Jesus for giving Becky to him. They moved to Waterford, Maine in 1976 and to Norway in 2004. She loved fishing, hunting, horses, painting, vacations with family and playing cards and poker. Most of all she loved Christmas and spending time with her family. She enjoyed attending her church, the South Paris Baptist Church. She enjoyed and many memories were made with her best friends Hilda and Richard Barker.

She is survived by her husband; her children Melissa ( Michael) Hilligoss, Jerome (Linda) Cleveland, Jr., Tina ( Stevie) Bond and Nicole ( Ryan) Queen; 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; her twin sister Roberta ( Berty ) Clary and Bill Randall and her sister in law Karen Yaugher; brother and sisters in law Ralph (Peggy) Cleveland, Jeff (Linda) Cleveland, Doug (Donna) Cleveland, Rodney Cleveland and Jolene (Jim) Rose; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, brother Donald Yaugher and sister Fran Thevinen and her father and mother in law Ralph and Irene Cleveland.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 8th at 1pm at Oxford Hills Funeral Service, 1037 Main Street, Oxford, ME. Family and friends may call at the funeral home, FRIDAY, September 6th from 5-7pm. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

The post Obituary for Rebecca Ann Cleveland first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Obituary for Pr. Robert Thomas Schmalzle

Erica Schmidt — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 14:00:00 +0000

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Robert Thomas Schmalzle, affectionately known as Pr. Bob, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, passing peacefully while held by his loving family, who surrounded him in prayer and song. Born on October 16, 1953, in Bedford, Ohio, Pr. Bob lived a life that was a testament to his unwavering faith and his deep commitment to living each day with Christ.

Baptized and confirmed at The Lutheran Church of the Covenant in Maple Heights, Ohio, Pr. Bob’s journey of faith began early and grew stronger throughout his life. He was a man of profound conviction, whose love for the Lord guided him through every step of his incredible ministry. After graduating from Lutheran High School East in Cleveland Heights in 1971, he pursued a double major in Psychology and Pre-Seminary at Valparaiso University, where he graduated in 1975. That same year, he married his beloved wife, Denise Wentzlaff, at The Lutheran Church of the Covenant.

Pr. Bob’s calling to serve was clear, and he followed it with both passion and dedication. In 1981, he earned his Master of Divinity from Christ Seminary (Seminex) in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Social Work from St. Louis University. Ordained that same year, he embarked on a mission that would span decades and continents, touching countless lives along the way.

His ministry took him first to Nairobi, Kenya, where he served at Uhuru Highway International Lutheran Church. There, he played a pivotal role in completing a new sanctuary and began a lifelong commitment to discipleship, a theme that would define his work and legacy. After planting seeds of faith and witnessing the growth of the church in Kenya, Pr. Bob returned to the United States to
serve as pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Canfield, Ohio, from 1982 to 1996, where he also served the community as a marriage and individual therapist. While serving in Canfield, the Schmalzles had two sons, Aaron and Jacob.

Pr. Bob’s love for Africa drew him back to Kenya in 1997, where he served at Nairobi International Lutheran Church until 2008. During this time, he oversaw the construction of another new sanctuary and authored New Life: A Lutheran Catechism for Christ like Discipleship, a vital resource for the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church.

After a short stint as interim pastor for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Brunswick, OH, Pr. Bob answered the call to serve as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Kissimmee, Florida, a role he held from 2010 until his retirement on October 31, 2019. Under his leadership, Trinity became a model of discipleship training, and Pr. Bob’s book The 7 Habits of Jesus: A Faith Formation Handbook for Discipleship became an Amazon bestseller, utilized by over 800 churches across North America. This work, along with his many discipleship trainings, has left a lasting imprint on churches and individuals across continents. His teachings and his life were a powerful testament to the transformative power of living each day with Christ.

Beyond his ministry, Bob was a devoted husband, a loving father to Aaron and Jacob, and a cherished grandfather. His family agrees that he was one of the best reflections of God’s love, grace, and mercy in this life. They hold such fond memories of Bob, with his bright eyes and contagious smile— moments that brought joy and warmth to everyone around him. His presence was the light of their home, a reflection of the joy he found in his faith and family. He is survived by his sister, Susan Schmalzle. Bob was also an avid golfer, always rising to challenges on the course with the same spirit he brought to his work and his faith.

Pr. Bob’s life reflected his baptismal promise—a life lived joyfully with Christ, in service to others, and with a heart open to the world. His legacy is one of love, faith, and an unwavering commitment to the mission of the Church. While his family and countless others grieve an impossible loss, they also rejoice in the knowledge that he has been brought home to his Savior, whom he served so faithfully.

A celebration of Pr. Bob’s life will be held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, FL, on October 12, 2024, at 11:00 am. There will also be a memorial and interment at Oasis Columbarium at Calvary Lutheran Church in Ruskin, FL, on October 23, 2024, at 10:00 am. The family invites all who knew him to remember and honor a life so well-lived. In his passing, as in his life, Pr. Bob continues to inspire all who knew him to live each day with Christ, finding joy, purpose, and peace in His love. As we remember Pr. Bob, let us carry forward his passion for discipleship and his unwavering faith, living each day with the same joyful commitment he embodied. Gifts and memorials in his honor should be directed to Lutheran World Relief at: https://www.giftsoflove.org

The post Obituary for Pr. Robert Thomas Schmalzle first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Obituary notice 8/8/2020

Mark Sellards — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 19:07:41 +0000

BACHSTEIN, Winfred Helmut “Windy”

Winfred Bachstein passed away on August 4, 2020 at age 79. He was born in Breslau, Germany in 1941 and immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1954. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Ohio. Mr. Bachstein was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a mechanical designer. He lived in the Bedford area from 1965 to 2015. He enjoyed gardening, yard work and the beach, and adored his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Bachstein, son James (Theresa) Bachstein M.D., grandchildren Matthew (Frances) Bachstein and Anna Caroline Bachstein. He is preceded in death by brother Armin Bachstein and parents Willy and Charlotte Bachstein. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his honor to St. Thomas Health Foundation or Alzheimer’s Association. The Sellars Funeral Home Lebanon, Tenn., 615-444-9393, is in charge of arrangements.

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Obituary and services notice

Mark Sellards — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:38:24 +0000

Sammy Lee Braylock, age 64, passed away suddenly on July 18. Beloved son of Carrie and the late Eugene Braylock; loving brother of Arthur (deceased), Gregory, Brenda Sheppard, Anita, Lawrence, Derrick Williams and Marcus; loving uncle to “tons” of nieces and nephews. Adored by his grandparents. Sammy was born on August 23, 1955, in Detroit, Mich., and his family moved to the Cleveland area when he was young. He was employed for 23 years at Green Road School in Warrensville Heights as a custodian aide. After that, he worked at Bridges on Aurora Road, where his expertise was buffing floors, which required a lot of physical strength. He helped to train others in the skill as well. Sammy spent his younger years in the Glenville area of Cleveland before going to developmental centers in different part of the state, and finally returning home to Warrensville Developmental Center when it first opened. He was a member of Special Olympics and enjoyed cheering for the local ballplayers at Ellenwood field. He has lived in a group home in Bedford since 1997 and began attending the Bedford Church of the Nazarene shortly after arriving in his new home. He was often the first member of the church at the door on Sunday mornings. While living in Bedford, each year Sammy would travel to visit his brother Gregg in Phoenix, Arizona, at Christmas, which was one of the highlights of his year. He was particularly fond of playing with Gregg’s cockapoo, Susie. Sammy loved to see others happy and to make people happy. Sammy was a beloved member of the Bedford community, waving, smiling and talking with passersby on Center Road where he lived. He was easily recognizable with his cheerful attire, and he was also known to change his outfits depending on the holiday. He especially enjoyed attending downtown festivals in the summer. His family would like to thank the community of Bedford for embracing him, particularly the employees at Burger King, where Sammy was a regular, as well as members of the Police and Fire Departments, where Sammy visited, and the workers at City Hall and the Recreation Center. Sammy’s family said they always felt that he was safe living his life in Bedford. A special thanks also is given to Pastor Mike Dennis at the Bedford Church of the Nazarene. Viewing is schedule for Friday, July 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bedford Church of the Nazarene at 365 Center Road. They will be following the CDC guidelines of using face masks and social distancing. There will be a celebration of Sammy’s life and legacy, his “retirement party” starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on the church grounds. For more information, see the Bedford Church of the Nazarene page. Burial will be in Cleveland Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The post Obituary and services notice first appeared on The Bedford Tribune.

Marilyn Infield Obituary

Hanna Rick — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 20:13:19 +0000

Longtime Bedford resident, Marilyn Infield will be remembered in a Memorial Service on June 20th at the Lakeside United Methodist Church in Lakeside Ohio (at the corner of 5th Street and Central Ave.) at 2:00. Guests should enter Lakeside through the 5th St. Gate (off Northshore Blvd.) and let the gate attendant know that they will be attending the Infield Memorial Service. There will be a reception following the service where friends can visit with Beth and Jeanne.

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