Clifford E. Shindeldecker Sr., 88, passed away Sunday, October 29, 2017, at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
He was born Sept. 7, 1929, in Mansfield, Ohio, the eldest of eight children of the late Kenneth P. and Grace E. (Young) Shindeldecker.
A lifelong resident of Lucas, he graduated from Lucas High School in 1948. Cliff worked at Westinghouse Corp. for a year after graduation before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He received his draft papers for the Korean War on the very day he was to begin his job as a horse jockey. After his discharge, he met his wife, Carol Friend, and they married in 1955.
A hard-working man, Cliff went to work for Swisher Cadillac as a mechanic. He then went to work for Columbia Gas as a meter reader, then transferred to Columbia Gas Transmission as an engineer and retired after 28 years. He was a member of Grace Evangelical Free Church. Cliff’s love of horses was lifelong and he enjoyed planting his gardens, being a Little League coach and trap shooting.
A family man, he spent his vacations working on his house, making the perfect home for everyone. In his later years, he wintered in McAllen, Texas. Cliff was a lover of the arts and enjoyed dancing and volunteering at the Renaissance Theater.
Cliff is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol Shindeldecker; three children, Debbie (Mike) Wagner, Cliff (Rhonda) Shindeldecker, Jr. and Ken (Tere) Shindeldecker; six grandchildren, Derek (Amanda), Peter (Shannon), Megan (Trevor), Michael, Kyle, and Gavin; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Linda (Gerald) Schumacher; numerous nieces and nephews; favorite sister-in-law, Betty Leapley; and sister-in-law, Peggy (Woody) Chamberlin.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glen, Orville, Russell and Jerry Shindeldecker; and sisters, Iona Music and Lolly Brodhead.
A private service will be observed. He will be laid to rest in Little Washington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Richland County. The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.
Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com.
