MANSFIELD: Laura Evilsizor McElfresh, age 87, of Mansfield passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2025 in Crystal Care Center with her loved ones by her side.
Laura Mae (Shipley) McElfresh was born December 18, 1937, in Logan County, Ohio, to William and Leah “Marguerite” (Kennedy) Shipley. Growing up on a dairy farm, Laura learned the values of hard work and responsibility, and through 4-H found both confidence and camaraderie while showing cattle at county and state fairs. After graduating from Salem Local High School in 1955, she attended Wittenberg University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics and health and physical education in 1959. During her time there, Laura was active in Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, athletics, choir, and served as chairperson of the college Alma Mater program, creating lifelong friendships and memories.
Laura began her teaching career in the Mansfield City Schools as a physical education teacher, where she championed opportunities for girls to be fully included in interscholastic athletics. She organized the district’s first girls’ tennis and track teams and later went on to coach both sports at Malabar High School. In 1980, she broke new ground when she was named Malabar’s athletic director—the first woman in Ohio to hold that position. Always committed to growth and education, she completed postgraduate studies through Ashland University and the University of Akron, earning her master’s degree in 1982 before serving as assistant principal at Malabar until her retirement in 1992, when she chose to devote her time to caring for her son Chris during his illness.
Beyond her career, Laura was deeply involved in her community as a member of the Mansfield Garden Club, the Mansfield Symphony Chorus, and the First Congregational Choir, as well as a longtime volunteer for the Mehock Relays. She served as president of the Tower Lakes Condominium Board and found joy in tennis, bridge, gardening, movies, and music of all kinds. In 2011 she married Rod McElfresh, and together they shared a love of travel, from Geneva-on-the-Lake and the Finger Lakes to Ireland and winters in Sarasota, Florida. Laura will be remembered for her independence, her resilience, her kindness, and her sense of style. She loved a good glass of wine at the beach, the company of friends, and cheering on her favorite teams—especially OSU football, Jim Tressel, and Stan Jefferson. Classy and strong-willed with a teacher’s spirit and a generous heart, Laura touched countless lives and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her sister Sharyn Edelen, nieces and nephews Jennifer (Roger) Cundiff, Lisa (Greg) Trefz, William Edelen, Melanie Shipley, and Greg (Linda) Shipley; great nieces and great nephews, step-daughters Shelly (Greg) Kirk, Molly (Gary) McCue, and many extended family and friends.
Laura was preceded in death by her dear son William Christopher Evilsizor in 1999, husband Rod McElfresh early this past spring, sister Marjorie (William) Carey, brother Richard (Eleanor) Shipley, and brother-in-law Robert Edelen.
Laura’s family will honor her with private interment services, along with her beloved son and husband in Fairview Cemetery, in West Liberty, Ohio. Please consider a memorial donation to the Richland County Foundation in memory of Laura Evilsizor McElfresh, 181 South Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44902 (419-525-3020).
The Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Laura’s family and encourage messages to the family by visiting: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com