Winona A. "Brownie" Schafer

Winona A. "Brownie" Schafer, 85 of Oak Harbor, OH passed away Friday, March 18, 2016 at Riverview Health Care Campus, Oak Harbor. She was born in Rocky Ridge, OH on February 10, 1931 to the late Clarence and Nelta (Parman) Schafer. Survivors include her sisters, Lois Deitzel and Laura Foust both of Oak Harbor. Also surviving are nephews and nieces: Tim (Karen) Foust, Tom (Susan) Foust, Ted Foust, Kris Lagger, Jane (Jeff) Myerholtz, Joan (Terry) Kline, and Lynn Deitzel; many great- nieces and nephews and great- great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers- in- law Frederick Deitzel and John Foust, and nephew David Deitzel. Winona attended Benton Twp. Rocky Ridge School Grades 1-8 and graduated from Salem- Oak Harbor High School in 1949. In 1952 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Defiance College where she was also listed in the 1952 edition of "Who's Who in U.S. Colleges and Universities". She received her Master's Degree in Education School Supervision in 1959 from Toledo University. She attended various workshops and received scholarships and fellowships at Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Antioch College and Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. Brownie started her teaching career in the Leesville School System in Crawford County and taught 35 years in the Oak Harbor (Benton- Carroll- Salem) School District. She loved reading and was the Elementary School Librarian for the last several years of her career. Miss Schafer was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor where she was elected the first woman to serve on the Church Council. She belonged to the Evening Guild and at one time she sang in the choir at the Church. She also held life memberships in the Ohio Education Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, National Education Association, Ottawa County Historical Association, Riverview Home Auxiliary, Nature Conservancy and the Ottawa County Retired Teachers, of which, she served as Vice- President for several years. While as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Sorority of Educators since 1964, she served on numerous committees and held offices of 2nd, 1st Vice- Presidents, President, and Parliamentarian. Services will be handled privately by the family. Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Oak Harbor is assisting the family during this time. A stone exists on the family lot in Elliston Cemetery, Benton Township. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, Riverview Health Care Campus, Oak Harbor Public Library, or a charity of the donor's choice. Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home - Oak Harbor Chapel 301 N. Locust Street Oak Harbor, OH 43449