Big Walnut Alumni

The band will be dedicating this year's Spring Concert to the late great Paul Shivers. We encourage anyone who was a former student of Paul's or an instructor/peer who worked with him to submit a paragraph length story for our program. ([email protected])

Please join us May 7th at 7pm on the Murphy Theatre stage as we present, "For a Song and A Story - A Musical Tribute to Paul Shivers".

Help us spread the word by sharing!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GgFAxKsBL/

Some losses do not arrive quietly. They leave a hollow place.

I have been sitting with this loss all weekend, and I still do not quite have words big enough for it.

Dr. Jeff Miller was not just a colleague in servant-leadership. He was a dear friend, a trusted encourager, a great bridge builder, and one of the most intentional connectors I have ever known.

Jeff had a gift for seeing people deeply. Then he did something about it.

He opened doors.
He made introductions.
He widened circles.
He invited people to tables.
He used his influence with humility and purpose.

I know this not as a theory, but as a lived blessing in my own life.

For nearly ten years, Jeff supported my work, believed in my voice, wrote the foreword to my book, connected me to meaningful opportunities, and welcomed me more fully into the servant leadership movement. He lived the very thing he taught. As he once wrote, “It’s not about me, but it begins with me.”

That was Jeff.

As I write this, I am logged onto the Zoom meeting we were supposed to have.

I have lit my candles.
I am sitting here in silence, gratitude, and tears, feeling the weight of this loss and the big hole it has left in my heart.

I wrote a longer tribute because I wanted to honor him fully and tell the truth about the impact he made on my life and on so many others around the world.

You can read the full tribute on my website here: https://tinyurl.com/3v66hrzt

Thank you, Dr. Jeff, for your friendship, your wisdom, your generosity, and your outstanding acts of service, large and small.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23

All is well. Dr. Jeff, you are complete. And so it is.

Aho. Asé. Amen.

Crystal Davis

*********

Services for Jeff will be Saturday April 18th.

Visitation 10:30 Am -12:30PM

Service. 12:30-2:00

Flanner Bachanan Funeral Home
105 W Pine St
Zionsville Indiana 46077

https://www.flannerbuchanan.com/obituaries/jeffrey-miller?ttm_pid=211197969&ttm_affiliate=legacypro&ttm_affiliatetype=standard&ttm_campaign=legacy

Memorial Tribute for Jeffrey P. Miller, Ph.D. - CJD Consulting Solutions LLC Some people do not simply enter your life. They expand it. Dr. Jeff was that kind of person.

Calling all ladies that attended Big Walnut to join our Big Walnut Gal Pal Lunch Bunch group!

We usually meet once a month at the BW Grill in Sunbury. Our next lunch is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 1pm.

Please RSVP and join our FB page...

https://facebook.com/events/s/bw-gal-pals-lunch-bunch/4025962510867076/

The Big Walnut Class of 1976 50th Class Reunion is set!

Please join us on July 11, 2026, 5pm, at Henmick Farm & Brewery 4380 North Old State Road, Delaware, OH, 43015.

We will have tables reserved in the large fireplace room.

A variety of food trucks will be available, as well as a fantastic bar and tap!

Henmick Farm & Brewery — Henmick Farm & Brewery

Henmick Farm & Brewery — Henmick Farm & Brewery Craft brewery and event space located in Central Ohio

Our gym teacher Betty Copas Smith passed away.

https://www.newcomercolumbus.com/obituaries/betty-lou-smith?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLeQqNjbGNrAt5Cn2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEePFDV5Dq_oDU0mcKMGdyR4qPtlP7YS2f3cRp4aJjYnJMd_iZ8T9Uboy72wSY_aem_74XK_fqA7jjlIAj-d_Meqw

Betty Lou Smith Obituary July 7, 2025 - Newcomer Columbus View Betty Lou Smith's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

BW Alumni Ladies...come join us for lunch today (May 29, 2025) at the BW Grill at 1.30! RSVP in the comments below!

We gather to reconnect the last Thursday each month, 1:30pm at the BW Grill. If you would like to join our little private group of special ladies, just comment below.

Calling all BW lady alumni! We.ve started a BW Alumni Gal Pals Luncheon for ALL BW ladies, regardless of class year!

Call a classmate or two and come join us on Thursday, May 29, 1:30PM at the Big Walnut Grill in Sunbury! Please RSVP in the comments below!

Sizzle and Sound is back on! Woo hoo!

Curtis Arthur Lohr (June 24, 1964-February 7, 2025)

Survived by his parents, Arthur & Carolyn Lohr, Carol Culver Wood, wife, Donna, children, Collin & Lisa Lohr, Trevin & Rachel Lohr, and Sierra & Billy Purdue; brother Dwight & Terri Lohr; 6 grandchildren, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Arthur & Pauline Culver, and stepfather, Clark E. Wood.

Curt entered the US Air Force right out of high school where he met the love of his life. They quickly married and started their family. Early in his career, he joined the Air Force Recruiting Service where his passion for connecting people helped to make an impact on many lives. Curt truly loved his Air Force life. Two of his proudest career accomplishments were watching Collin graduate from the Air Force Academy and enlisting Trevin in the Air Force. He proudly served for 25 years and retired in 2008.

He took much enjoyment watching his children grow into great adults and was proud to tell anyone who would listen about his family. Family was the heart of his life and he worked to make sure everyone who joined was treated as his own. Once you joined, you were family for life - no matter the circumstance. He enjoyed sharing his unique dad humor with his grandchildren and always made it his mission to see them laugh and smile. He wanted to make memories every time he was with them. As our family grew and moved to different states, Curt found a way to keep everyone connected. He started and managed a family fantasy football league and a March Madness bracket competition and loved the way it brought everyone together to share jokes, enjoy friendly competition, and didn’t mind that he never seemed to win.

Curt was an avid guitarist and used music to bring people together. He shared his love of music with all three of his children and inspired them to discover their own passions. Family sing-a-longs became a staple of family visits. He was a member of Point Harbour Church and joined the worship band. One of his greatest joys was being on stage and sharing his energy with the crowd. He had positive and encouraging things to say about everyone he met and wanted to connect with the wonderful people around him.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions in his name to Mission Fund 25 by 35, Point Harbour Church. He was looking forward to joining the next mission trip and sharing his love.

https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Curtis-Arthur-Lohr?obId=36360209&fbclid=IwY2xjawIZlcxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUoCUJZOZVkf891bFSpWn3OZxcsF7Xz3Y-IpJ4aBqsZMsjmVu_w4BiSQQw_aem_-ndNdEtZWjmt_xxTlUNpGQ #/obituaryInfo

A true gentleman... our hearts and prayers are with the family💕💕💕

Paul Henry Miller, 90, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Court House Manor, after a long and fulfilling life. In true form, he left this world with little fuss, much like the humble farmer he was.

Paul was born in November 24, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio at Old White Cross hospital, the only son of Russell and Mary Ellen (Caudy) Miller, who preceded him in death, as well as an older sister, Grace Ellen Lang, who preceded him in death by just one day He was also preceded by his mother-in-law, Mary Lou Pfeiffer Saunway; father-in-law, Paul Henry Pfeiffer, and step-father-in-law, George Saunway.

He was a 1952 graduate of Big Walnut High School, where his exceptional memory for numbers earned him a reputation for changing the locker padlocks of his classmates. He was active in FFA and served as a state officer for two years. He also traveled to Iraq through the 4-H IFYE program and served as the Ohio State Junior Fair Board president.

Paul continued his education at The Ohio State University where he studied Animal Science. While at OSU, Paul lived in the Ohio Stadium dorms and fed the university’s sheep to cover his room and board. A proud member of the Alpha Zeta fraternity, he was editor of the OSU Ag Magazine, on the Gold Diggers Kings Court, and a member of Sphinx senior class honorary.

During his senior year, he met the love of his life, Kay Pfeiffer. They married on June 26, 1960, and raised three sons.
Paul was committed to maintaining lifelong connections with friends and classmates, often helping to organize reunions for both his high school class and college fraternity.

Paul and Kay settled on the family farm in Sunbury, where he ran the grain and dairy operation, Fairland Farms, and sold milk from the dairy barn.

Paul was also involved in numerous community activities. He served as chairman of trustees during the construction of the new Sunbury Methodist Church and was a captain in the Army Reserves. Paul was the State Young Farmers vice president and president of the Delaware County Farm Bureau. He also served as president of Country Mutual Insurance before transitioning to general manager after stepping back from full-time farming.

When the family farm moved to Fayette County, so did Kay and Paul. Paul continued to be active in his new community and made many friends there. Paul was involved in the Central Republican Committee, the County Farm Bureau board, the OSU Alumni Club, WCH Grace Methodist Church, and the Community Concert Association.

He and Kay traveled extensively, both around the U.S. and abroad, with their favorite destination being Alaska.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Kay (Pfeiffer) Miller; three sons, Jeff (Kathy), Doug (Anita), and Mark; as well as his cherished grandchildren, Charlie (Hannah), Natalie (Joe), Kael, Megan, Erin, and Peyton.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at noon, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the WCH Grace Methodist Church, 301 E. Market St., Washington Court House. Pastor Matt Brookes will officiate the service. A private burial will take place at a later date in Sunbury, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the Miami Trace FFA Alumni, ℅ Robin Beekman, 6 High St. Jeffersonville, OH 43128, WCH Grace Methodist Church, 301 E. Market St. Washington CH, OH 43160 or The Ohio 4-H Foundation “Pfeiffer/Miller/Saunway Family Scholarship Fund number: 605706,” 2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, OH 43210 or online at https://giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/605706

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

With deepest sympathies...

Walter Edward Neace, Sr.
February 19, 1937 - December 23, 2024

Walter Edward Neace Sr., 87, of Sunbury, Ohio, passed away on December 23, 2024, at St. Ann’s Hospital.

Walter was born on February 19, 1937, in Greenup, Kentucky, to the late Alexander Neace and Flora (Skeens) Neace. At the age of two, he moved to Delaware County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life.

Walter dedicated 20 years of his life serving the Sunbury community as its police chief. In addition, he worked in sales and management, leaving a legacy of hard work and dedication.

Walter will be deeply missed by his children, Dixie E. Neace Kean, Walter E. Neace Jr., and Norma A. Neace; his sister, Helan Coffee; his grandson, Christopher Neace; and his many other grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wives, Lou Neace (Blevins) and Martha Neace (Reed); his parents; three sisters; one brother; and a cherished daughter.

Walter found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved fishing, taking long walks, home repair projects, and tending to his garden. An avid sports fan, he especially enjoyed cheering on the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Guardians alongside his children. Above all, he took immense pride in his children and grandchildren, who were his greatest achievements.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, on Friday, January 3, 2025, during a visitation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a service at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Walter Neace Jr. (265 Orchard Lane. Sunbury Ohio 43074)

Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel is honored to serve the Neace family with funeral arrangements. Please share a memory of Walter or a message of condolence with the family at: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com

Visitation
Friday, January 3, 2025
5:00PM - 6:00PM
Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel
637 N. St. Rt. 61
Sunbury, OH 43074
Funeral Ceremony
Friday, January 3, 2025
6:00PM - 7:00PM