Shirley J. Schlosser

Shirley Jean Schlosser passed away at Brookview Healthcare of Defiance, Ohio on September 15, 2022 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.  
She was the daughter of the late Oscar and Glenna (Hudnall) Forren; born July 24, 1937 in Alderson, West Virginia. She was a true Appalachian girl who loved her mountain heritage.
She was married to Donald Karcher on May 4, 1969 and he passed away on August 26, 1977.  She wed Thomas Schlosser on Oct 24, 1998 and he passed away on April 6, 2013.  
Shirley was a talented seamstress who worked at both Deluxe and Mercury Cleaners in her career.  When she came to the Ohio area in 1958, she worked at Karl’s Drive In, and then at the Sears Store in Defiance.  Shirley joined the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Defiance where she sang high soprano in the choir and taught young children in the Sunday School.  She was one of the parishioners who helped to establish the food pantry at the church.  It was a special joy for her to decorate the sanctuary for the various holy days.  Even when she was unable to attend services, she maintained a strong faith in God and kept her Bible close by.  It was how she had been raised by the faith-filled mother whom she deeply respected.
After losing her first husband to cancer, she became interested in a newly developed concept called Hospice.  She was one of the first Hospice Volunteers in Defiance and spent many hours providing respite care for patients in their homes.  She felt it was one of the most meaningful things she had ever done and treated each person like her own family.  
Volunteerism and community service was deeply ingrained into Shirley.  She volunteered many hours for the VFW Post #3360 Auxiliary, the ProMedica Hospital, the Hospital Thrift Store, the Defiance County Veterans Office, the Junior and Cadette Girl Scout Troops of Evansport, the Living Word Christian School, and to multitude of activities and fund raisers that her family was involved in.  Having been married to two veterans of the armed forces who served during Korea and a daughter who is a veteran, she was very patriotic woman and she and her second husband, Tom, were often called upon to volunteer for many veterans causes.  They were part of a group that traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the Korean War Memorial.  
Shirley loved to do crafts in her spare time and she has a real sense of design and style.  Her home was always decorated, and she took great care with her appearance.  She loved shopping and knew how to find a good bargain.  She was also very fond of animals, in particular, a Jack Russell named Zoe, who kept her company for many years.  
Traveling was a special passion for Shirley and she made many special trips including one to the Bahamas with her sisters and on her 80th birthday she took a Caribbean Cruise with her grandchildren. She loved going back to West Virginia to see her hometown of Alderson. 
Shirley was preceded in death by four of her five siblings:  Junior Forren, Vaughna Ochs, Ruth Wickline, and Drema Miner.  She is survived by her sister, Helen Reineke  of Defiance.
She is also survived by her daughter, Tanya (Addison) Brunner of Evansport; two grandchildren, Suzanna (Ryan) Mack of Evansport and Nathaniel (Jason) Brunner-Burns of Ludington, Michigan. As well as her honorary grand-daughter, Molly Zimmerman, Kentucky.  
Her beloved great grandchildren are: Addison Campbell and Blaze Campbell of Evansport and Elizabeth Brunner-Burns of Ludington, Michigan.  They brought a special light into her life.
Shirley and her extended family were very close and she treasured the times they gathered with her around the table telling stories and enjoying biscuits and gravy, a family tradition!  Her nieces and nephews, “grands “and “greats” were often in her thoughts and most certainly always, her prayers.
Shirley was a woman of fortitude.  She faced many challenges yet formed a good life for herself and her family.  She truly made the most of her days. 
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on November 12, 2022 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 400 Wayne Avenue, Defiance Ohio. Private burial will be at the Riverview Memory Gardens.
Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements  
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Fort Defiance Humane Society, 7169 Ohio-Route 15, Defiance OH  43512. 

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