Eileen Strater was solid as a rock, busy as a beaver, quiet as a mouse, and patient as Job. Her role as the supportive wife of an elder in the Palmyra Church of Christ actively placed her in a position to sustain the varied ministries of the church family. A 70-year member of the church, though she held no official title or authority, Eileen’s quiet devotion to her church family made her an influential force for the Lord’s Kingdom.
Eileen fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith (II Tim 4:7), and passed into the Lord’s presence Tuesday evening from Winchester Terrace. She was 91.
Born Dorothy Eileen House September 22, 1923 in Mansfield to John and Clara (Loegel) House, Eileen was graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1941.
She worked at Ideal Electric before her marriage on April 8, 1944 to Herman Lee Strater, focused years raising their three children and retired after working nearly 20 years with Foote Foundry in Fredericktown.
Eileen and Herman loved to travel, they visited all 50 states. She was a member of Fun-n-Friendship Club and cherished lunch dates with friends.
Eager to help others, though Eileen was somewhat a private person, when she recognized a need, she’d climb behind the wheel of her ’89 navy blue Bonneville and see to her mission.
Eileen will be remembered within the context of I Timothy 3:11: a woman dignified and of sound judgment, truthful, sober and faithful in worship. An elder who has a good wife has a great asset to his work (Prov 18:22) and a virtuous woman is worth far more than rubies (Prov 31:10).
She is survived by her children Carolyn Eyster of Bellville, Jack & Donna Strater of Herndon, VA, and Craig & Carol Strater of Bellville; grandchildren David Strater of Herndon, VA, Jennifer & Rudy Zadnik of Annadale, VA, Katie & Tucker Travis of Gainesville, VA, Eric & Amanda Strater of Fredericktown and Casey & Dustin Hood of Coshocton; great grandchildren Grace, Hope and Leighton Zadnik.
Her husband Herman preceded her in death on May 3, 1997. Also deceased is her sister Anna Carter.
The Strater family will receive friends Friday, February 13, 2015 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home, where her funeral service will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Neil Gilliand will officiate. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.
Contributions in Eileen’s memory to Palmyra Church of Christ or Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Eileen’s family. Send them a message of sympathy or support and see Eileen’s tribute video at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com
