Reynoldsburg High School Class of 1970

You'll never guess who is going to be the Grand Marshall for the Reynoldsburg 4th of July Parade!

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Mary Turner Stoots
Long-time Champion of Reynoldsburg History

By: Sarah Reed Brass
of the Reynoldsburg Community Association

There is likely not a better way for Reynoldsburg to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, than by honoring a person so steeped in Reynoldsburg history, that they can link early settlers of Reynoldsburg to land grants awarded to Revolutionary War veterans.

Mary’s family roots in Reynoldsburg go all the way back to 1863 when her maternal Great-Great-Grandparents came here. Mary’s family lived on Rodebaugh Road, Bryden & Jackson, and ultimately on Waggoner Road, in the home Mary’s father finished building in 1956, and that Mary and her husband, Doug, still live in today. Mary’s grandmother, mother and Mary herself, all graduated from Reynoldsburg High School in the classes of 1917, 1947, and 1970 respectively. Mary has served as the class database manager for the RHS Class of 1970, carefully tracking each graduate, and helping prepare for each class reunion for the past 56 years.

For many years, Mary has diligently worked to raise awareness of, and to promote the vision, mission, and visibility of the Reynoldsburg Truro Historical Society (RTHS). Mary has led RTHS as it’s President for over 8 years and in this capacity, creates content for, and edits a bi-monthly newsletter, acts as the webmaster for www.RTHS.info, is the RTHS Facebook Administrator, and procures donations and sponsorships to fund improvements to the historical museum.

One of Mary’s most significant contributions has been, and continues to be, to Reynoldsburg’s third-grade history curriculum Since local history is a requirement mandated by the State of Ohio for every third grade student, Mary works with the school superintendents, elementary principals and teachers to arrange 3rd grade tours of the RTHS museum and barn, Silent Home Cemetery, and the Cotner Community Historical Mural at the corner of Jackson and Main. She collaborates with Reynoldsburg leaders and businesses to raise funds for transporting the 3rd-grade classes to the tour venues and to develop and publish the classroom material, which consists of a workbook that each student gets to keep. A fun part of the curriculum is the 3rd Grade Mini-Mural Exhibition. Students from each 3rd-grade class color and submit their rendering of the historic mural for judging and prizes.

Mary collaborates with other historical organizations to further community understanding and appreciation of Reynoldsburg history. As one representative from the Mathias Ridenour Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) describes it, whatever Mary is called upon to do, “she does it, and does it so well.” Mary will be presenting a keynote address, sponsored by the DAR Chapter, The History of Reynoldsburg, to kick off the America 250 Reynoldsburg celebration. Mary is a gifted story-teller and speaker, sharing her historical knowledge with humor and entertaining her audience in the process.

As a member of the Reynoldsburg Civic Club, which was organized in 1922, Mary currently has the honor of being their Recording Secretary.

Mary has been a years-long participant in the Memorial Day ceremony to honor Revolutionary War soldiers at Seceder Cemetery. She has also designed banners honoring these soldiers for the DAR Mathias Ridenour Chapter, to be displayed on the streetlight poles in downtown Reynoldsburg.

Mary is also a published author. She has co-authored two books on Reynoldsburg history, “Reynoldsburg High School from 1899 to 1970” and “Reynoldsburg and Truro Township” that is included as part of the Arcadia Publisher’s Images of America series.

Mary has been a tireless advocate for preserving historical sites in Reynoldsburg. She worked in tandem with the State of Ohio Preservation Office in an effort to save the historic Hannah J. Ashton School Building and has worked to help save the Primitive Baptist Church. She has petitioned for fencing for the Methodist Hill Cemetery located by the VFW and for an accessibility path to the historic Seceder Cemetery.

For many years, Mary has worked with organizations, city and business leaders, to protect, preserve and share Reynoldsburg’s history. She is a true Reynoldsburg treasure. We are fortunate to have Mary as a resident of Reynoldsburg, and we are proud to select her to be the Grand Marshall of Reynoldsburg’s 4th of July parade celebrating America’s 250!

I was in contact with Norma for a long time but lost contact, and her mail was returned from our last reunion. She was living in Alabama. I found her obituary recently.
~ Mary Turner Stoots

NORMA JEAN SKIDMORE
12/08/1951 – 04/29/2023

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the family of Norma Jean Skidmore (71) of Mobile announces her passing on Saturday April 29, 2023. She had her loving family by her side. Norma was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Evelyn Skidmore, brother Larry Skidmore, and a granddaughter Brittany.

She is survived by her life companion of 34 years Earnie L Dearman, daughters Amy M Anderson (Lee) of Fairhope, Carmella L. Keyse (Tony Ortega) of Foley and Natalie Ardoin (Sentell) of Louisiana, Brothers Lee Skidmore (Mona), Johnny Skidmore, Sister Joyce Smith (Bob), Grandchildren Ryan, Robert, Terran, Hunter, Daylon, Devin, Anthony and Thomas and her Great Grandchildren Rylan, Claire, Castiel, Chandler and Cohen.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday May 3, 2023 at 2:00 PM in the Pine Rest Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Sentell Ardoin officiating. Burial followed in Pine Rest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 PM.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to The American Cancer Society Lymphoma. https://donate.cancer.org

Thanks to SADD Hospice Retreat for the kindness and care that you have shown during this difficult time.

We lost another classmate this morning!

Guess who is kicking off America-250?

a Blast from the Past! L-R Clockwise: Terrie Renwick Foster, Rose Harshberger (sp?), Jonna Hatfield, and Wally Schlosser

We'll see you there!

Richard L. Brock
March 10, 1952 — December 11, 2025

Richard Lee Brock, 73, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished.

Born on March 10, 1952, to Frederick and Mary Alice (Leachman) Brock. Rich grew up alongside his brother, Gary (Debbie) Brock, and was preceded in death by his father, Fred, and sister, Rita.

On March 2, 1974, Rich married the love of his life and high school sweetheart Susan (Bolen). Together they built a home filled with laughter, devotion, and warmth that made everyone feel welcome. Their partnership was a testament to enduring love and mutual respect.

Rich was the proud father of three children — Doug (Katie) Brock, Stacia (Lloyd) Woodcock, and Michelle (Bobby) Gniadek — each of whom he supported, guided, and celebrated with unwavering enthusiasm. Becoming a grandfather brought him immeasurable joy, and he adored his grandchildren: Madison, Blake, and Mackenzie Gniadek and Poppy and Tilly Brock. To them, he was not just a grandfather, but a source of fun, wisdom, and unconditional love.

A 1975 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Rich was a devoted Buckeye — an avid fan and proud alum who never missed a chance to cheer on his team.

Rich found peace and happiness in his faith, and enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He loved golf, fishing, travel, and tending to his garden.

Above all, Rich will be remembered as a proud, loving, and fun husband, father, and grandfather. He will be profoundly missed and treasured by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Mid Ohio Food Bank or The James Cancer Hospital.

I will be mailing this and other pictures out during the next couple of days! I apologize for the long wait. I had to move MANY heads that were looking the wrong way, hiding behind someone, looking angry, or just plain goofy!! (I'm the goofy one) Thank Heavens the photographer took multiple shots!!