Larry J. Studer

Larry Jacob Studer passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Hospice of NW Ohio, Toledo. Larry was born in Toledo OH, September 26, 1940. He grew up in Whitehouse, working on the family farm, and graduated from Anthony Wayne High School where he was involved in band, and was an active member of Future Farmers of America both in the local chapter and at the state level. In 1956 he was elected to serve as Sectional Vice-President of Northwest Ohio, making him the first to serve as a state officer from Anthony Wayne. After graduation he went to North Central College, Naperville IL, and earned a BA in History. While at North Central, Larry met Miriam (Micki) Frasch in college choir and the two were married August 19, 1961 in Detroit.

After college, Larry taught junior high social studies in Oswego IL, as well as completing an M.Ed. in administration from Northern Illinois University. In 1963, Larry and Micki’s first child, Diane, was born. Larry and Micki moved to Perrysburg in 1966 for Larry’s job teaching social studies in Perrysburg at the high school and junior high. In 1967 they welcomed their second child, Sharon. He also taught drivers education and took great pride in his ability to handle a vehicle. During summers off he drove cement and dump trucks and school buses. In 1972, he accepted a job as principal of Otsego Junior High. He spent six years in the district and, during his years there, Larry and Micki welcomed their third daughter, Kathryn Joy in 1976. In 1978 he was hired by the Perrysburg Schools as the principal of Woodland Elementary which, at the time, was still being built. He had the unique opportunity to be involved with much of the planning of the school. He always said he knew what he would be walking into once the building opened. The school was dedicated in April 1979. Larry continued in that role until he retired (the first time) after 31 years in education in 1993.

After retirement, he spent time working at Root Learning, JK Business Graphics (now Joshua Business Graphics), as well as the Bowling Green and Maumee school districts as an interim administrator and mentor to new principals. Larry also taught for a couple of years at the Wood County Juvenile Detention Center where he was able to work with youth who were in short-term placement awaiting pending court action. This was a challenging job but one that he was well-skilled to handle.

About that time, Larry and Micki had the desire to move to Florida where it was warm. Larry always said he wanted to move far enough south that there wouldn’t be any signs that said, “bridges freeze before road.” They moved to Stuart FL in 2000. Lest anyone think that he would spend his next retirement simply sitting on the beach, he worked as a church administrator, junior high geography teacher, community college instructor, and an inventory specialist for an irrigation company that installed a system for Tiger Woods. Ever the educator, his career culminated in his last position in Florida as a volunteer tutor for the Samaritan Center for Young Boys & Families, a Christian, residential, early intervention program.

Larry and Micki loved Florida, especially the weather, beaches, and showing off the sights to all who came to visit. They were active there in church choir, Bible study and fellowship groups. They moved back to Ohio in 2019 to be closer to family due to ongoing health issues.

Active in church from childhood, Larry’s faith was the most important thing in his life. He lived by faith first, family second, and work third. He served as an elder, Bible study and Sunday school teacher, song leader and was in many church choirs and ensembles. He enjoyed singing with Micki at church, whether it was for a service, or weddings, funerals and special occasions. Even in his last weeks on earth he was still studying scripture, and his daughters made sure to read scripture to him, and pray with and for him, even up to the very end, as that was so important to him. He led by example and all of his children and their families are also incredibly active in their churches and serving in numerous roles, carrying out his legacy of faith and service.

Larry is survived by daughters Diane (Gary) Russell of Omaha NE, Sharon (Andrew) Ryder of Lynnwood WA, and Kathryn (Jason) Lankey of Maumee, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, sisters Gail Perkins of Bowling Green, Karen (Doug) Mold of Swanton and numerous cherished family members & friends. He is predeceased by Micki, his beloved wife of 61 years, parents Clifton and Hesterbelle Studer, brother-in-law Alvie Perkins, and niece Robbie Lee Perkins.

Family and friends will be received at Perrysburg Alliance Church, 10401 Avenue Road, Perrysburg, on Friday, August 18, from 10:00-10:45 a.m. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made in Larry’s honor to the Studer Family Foundation, c/o Woodland Elementary School, 27979 White Road, Perrysburg OH, 43551, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg OH, 43551,or the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami FL, 33131