Elmer Stidom Jr.

Published December 21, 2025 - 6:47 a.m.

Elmer Stidom Jr., 88, of Carrollton, Ohio, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Oak Pointe Nursing Home in Baltic, Ohio.

He was born Sept. 16, 1937, in Athens, Ohio, to the late Elmer Sr. and Helen (Smith) Stidom.

Elmer served four years in the United States Navy, then dedicated 30 years of his career to the United States Postal Service, serving in Upland, California, and Canton, Ohio. He was a faithful member of the Carrollton United Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Judith Stidom, in 2022; and his brother, Don Stidom.

Elmer is survived by his son, David Randolph (Janice) Stidom of New Middletown, Ohio; daughters, Debbie (Rick) DeLap of Carrollton, Ohio, and Tina Marie Julius of Boise, Idaho; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and brothers Roy Allen Stidom and Herman (Donna) Stidom.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. in Dodds Funeral Home of Carrollton with full military honors.

Visitation was held Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services in the funeral home.

Burial followed in Liberty Cemetery near Minerva.

carroll county

Obituaries

Smiling man wearing a dark baseball cap and black shirt in front of a beige wall.

William Gary High

William Gary High, age 84, of Franklin, Tennessee died May 7, 2026. He was born in Millersburg, Ohio on December 24, 1941.

Smiling older man wearing glasses in front of a decorated background.

Leon Smith

Leon Smith, age 85, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 18, 2026 peacefully in the presence of those he loved the most.

Man in a baseball cap looking back from inside a vehicle.

Daniel G. Youngen

Danny Youngen Click to add byline Daniel “Danny” G. Youngen, 74, of West Lafayette left this earth to be with his Lord on Monday, May 18, 2026 after an extended battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Studio portrait of a uniformed officer facing the camera against a plain background.

Jim Alexander

James “Jim” Harvey Alexander, 71, beloved husband, father, and friend passed away unexpectedly on May 10, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

Smiling older woman wearing glasses and a blue jacket in a close-up screenshot.

Mary A. Peltz

Mary Ann Peltz, age 87, of Cadiz sadly passed away May 11, 2026 while residing at the Harrison County Home with her daughter by her side.

Elderly man in glasses and brown hat seated in front of an American flag graphic with 'VETERAN' text.

Gary Grant Bantum

Gary Grant Bantum, 87, died Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Lafayette Pointe Nursing & Rehabilitation in West Lafayette.

Older man wearing glasses and a red shirt in front of a U.S. flag background with “VETERAN” text.

Thomas Lee Patterson

Thomas Lee “Tom” Patterson, 85, of West Lafayette passed away at his home with his family by his side on Friday May 15, 2026.

Elderly man in glasses and a blue shirt under a U.S. flag graphic with the word veteran.

Donald L. Stire

Donald Lee Stire of Cadiz passed away peacefully on Sunday May 10, 2026, in the Gables Care Center.

Portrait of an older man in glasses wearing a suit and tie on a dark blue background.

Paul M. Schonauer

Paul M. Schonauer, 86, of Coshocton peacefully passed away on May 13, 2026, at Windsorwood Place in Coshocton.

Smiling older man indoors beneath an American flag graphic and the word VETERAN.

Don C. Cassetty

Don C. Cassetty, 81, passed away March 4, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of faith, family and community service.

Smiling man in a white shirt, tie, and light vest against a dark background.

Michael D’Ostroph

Michael D’Ostroph, 47, of Plainfield, passed away unexpectedly May 13, 2026, at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Elderly woman smiling outdoors beside a grassy area.

Rita Kay Roach

Rita Kay Roach, 74, a resident of the Carroll Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton, died Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center in Canton.

Portrait of an older woman with white hair, glasses, and a red jacket against a neutral background.

Martha M. Green

Martha M. Green, age 84, of West Lafayette passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at Genesis Hospital.

Smiling woman wearing glasses and a red-and-white checkered top in front of a blurred green background.

Lorena Miller

Lorena Mae Miller passed on May 9, 2026 at the age of 98; she was born on May 23, 1927, in Canton, Ohio, to the late David and Gladys (Fausnight) Kinsley.

Bearded man with glasses seated indoors in front of an Ohio State sign.

Jeffrey Craig

Jeff Craig Click to add byline Jeffrey Allen Craig of Millersburg, Ohio passed away on May 6, 2026, following a lengthy decline in health. He was born on April 22, 1958, in Wooster, Ohio.

Elderly man in a tan cap and glasses posed in front of a baseball stadium with an American flag graphic and the word Veteran.

David Brown

David Brown, 83, of Fresno, passed away early Tuesday Morning, May 12, 2026.

Close-up portrait of an older man with white hair, glasses, and a red tie.

Richard Niemiec

Richard “Dick” Niemiec, 86, of Wooster, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Apostolic Christian Home in Rittman after a long battle with inclusion body myositis (IBM).

Close-up of an elderly man wearing glasses and a bright neon yellow shirt.

Thomas Woodruff

Thomas Eugene Woodruff, 82, of Holmesville, Ohio, passed away on Monday May 11, 2026 at Sycamore Run Nursing Home.

Levi R. Mast

Levi R. Mast, 88, of Winesburg, Ohio, passed away at Pomerene Hospital on Monday, May 11, 2026, after a period of declining health.

Sandra Kaye Layman

Sandra Kaye (Cox) Layman, age 86, of Coshocton, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Close-up of a man indoors in front of a tan perforated wall.

Steven L. Brown

Steven “Steve” L. Brown, age 69, of Millersburg, Ohio, and formerly of Mexia, Texas, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Akron Summa Hospital.

Portrait of an older man in a red shirt and beaded necklace with a U.S. flag and the word Veteran above him.

James R. Cash Jr.

James R. “Jim” Cash, Jr., 73 of Hopedale, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at his home with his family. Jim was born June 5, 1952, in Steubenville, Ohio a son of the late James R. and Agnes Kirk Cash, Sr.

Portrait of a man standing before an American flag design and the word “VETERAN.”

Jonathan Atwood

Jonathan Carl Atwood, 44, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, at his residence.

Young man wearing a black shirt and red tie standing outdoors near a house.

Colton James Dorsey

Colton James Dorsey, 18, passed away Friday, May 1, 2026, at his residence.

Eli J. Stutzman

Sepia portrait of a sailor with an American flag and the word veteran across the top.

Mike Thurston

Mike Thurston, a U.S. Navy veteran, longtime car salesman and gospel preacher, died May 9, 2026.

Portrait of a smiling woman wearing a crown and a white lace dress.

Marvel Louise Lewis

Marvel Louise Lewis, 81, of Dresden, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, at Altercare Newark North.

Ryan Smith

Ryan “Smitty” Smith, 53, of Minerva, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Aultman Hospital following a short illness.

Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with short blond hair and a light knit sweater.

Sally Ann Hudson Ross

Sally Ann Hudson Ross, 77, died peacefully on Sunday, May 3, in her home surrounded by friends.

Smiling older man in a scarf with an American flag graphic and the word “VETERAN” above him.

Jerry James Foster

Jerry James Foster, 86, died March 29, 2026. Jerry was born November 12, 1939, and grew up in Coshocton, Ohio, the son of the late town physician, Dr. Gerald Foster, and a community-minded mother, the late Lucille (Jemison) Foster.

Portrait of a man in military uniform under an American flag graphic labeled Veteran.

Harry Richard Bordenkircher

Harry Richard “Rich” Bordenkircher, age 93, of Coshocton, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Smiling elderly woman with white hair and glasses standing outdoors in a park.

Sue Banbury

Virginia “Sue” Banbury, age 88, died on May 2, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones following a courageous battle with cancer.

Portrait of a man in a Veteran cap under an American flag graphic with the word VETERAN above him.

Fred A. Trussel

Fred A. Trussel, 65, of Millersburg, Ohio passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare following a short illness.

John Willis Jr.

John Lloyd Willis, Jr., 59, of Holmes County, died March 26, 2026, at Altman Hospital in Canton from small-cell cancer.

Close-up portrait of a smiling woman against a textured wooden background.

Kathryn Marner

Kathryn Sue Marner, 67, of Berlin, Ohio, peacefully went into the arms of Jesus on Friday, May 1, 2026, after a brief battle with Leukemia.

Portrait of a smiling older man beneath a U.S. flag graphic and the word veteran.

Paul S. Morton

Paul S. Morton, MD, age 90, passed away at his home on April 30, 2026, after a two-year battle with acute myelogenous leukemia.

Older woman with white hair and glasses posed in front of a stone wall.

Barbara Joan Sheets

Barbara “Joan” Sheets was born July 1, 1940, in Coshocton, Ohio, and raised in Pleasant Valley.

Portrait of a man wearing glasses, a beige suit jacket, white shirt and dark tie on a blue background.

Michael J. Uhl

Michael J. “Mike” Uhl, 82, of Millersburg, Ohio, passed away Wednesday April 29, 2026, at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster, following a period of declining health.

Close-up portrait of an elderly woman with white hair wearing a pink sweater.

Katie Grossniklaus

Katie A. Grossniklaus, 90, of Winesburg, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 2, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her family.

Close-up portrait of a man with glasses and a beard wearing a blue shirt.

Timothy Edward Toussant

Timothy Edward Toussant, 69, passed away unexpectedly April 28, 2026.

Close-up of a person with glasses and a beard in a kitchen.

Michael Shawn Walters

Michael (Mike) Shawn Walters, age 57, of Coshocton passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Man smiling outdoors in a Cleveland Indians shirt.

Paul Daniel Smith

Paul Daniel "Dan" Smith, age 68, of Millersburg, Ohio, passed away April 11, 2026, in Dauphin Island, Alabama, doing what he loved.

Man with sunglasses smiling at the beach during sunset.

William Stubbs dies at 79

William “Bill” Harold Stubbs, 79, of Coshocton, passed away on April 28, 2026, at his home.

Smiling woman with glasses in a casual indoor setting.

Connie J. Morris

Connie J. Morris, 69, of Minerva, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at Aultman Compassionate Care Center, surrounded by her family.

William Stubbs

William “Bill” Harold Stubbs, 79, of Coshocton, passed away on April 28, 2026, at his home.

Portrait of a veteran with a cap and military pins.

Kenneth Sigler

Kenneth Lee “Spike” Sigler, 87, of Shreve, passed away after an extended illness on Monday, April 27 at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster surrounded by his family and friends.

Lester Leckrone

Lester L. Leckrone, age 86, of Loudonville, Ohio, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Altercare Majora Lane Nursing Home after a brief illness.

Martha E. Betts

Martha Ellen (Collier) Betts, 94, of Cadiz, passed away April 17, 2026, at the Harrison County Home. She was born August 5, 1931, in Cadiz, Ohio, to parents Frank and Martha (Ramsay) Collier.

Vintage portrait of a young veteran with an American flag background.

Samuel E. Kerwood

Samuel E. “Sam” Kerwood, age 76, of Scio, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026, in Aultman Hospital, Canton after a lengthy illness.

Older man with sunglasses and camouflage cap.

Regis J. Marker Sr.

Regis Joseph Marker Sr., a man whose ornery spirit was only matched by his loving heart, and perhaps the tenacity with which he assembled furniture, passed away on April 21, 2026, at UPMC Presby after a lengthy illness.

Smiling veteran in a home setting with an American flag background.

Sonya Adams

Sonya Marie Adams, 67, passed away peacefully at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida on April 15, 2026.

Smiling young man with braces in a casual setting.

Darian Atwood

Darian David Atwood, 16, affectionately known to some as “Double D” and “Tub Tub” passed away Monday, April 20, 2026.

Close-up of a man in a suit with a serious expression.

John Dusenberry

John Dusenberry, age 98, of Warsaw, passed away on April 23, 2026 at Coshocton Regional Medical Center.

Close-up portrait of an older man with glasses.

William Owens

William “Bill” Michael Owens of West Lafayette, Ohio passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the OSU Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, following a brief illness.

Levi V. Raber

Levi V. Raber, 88, of Charm, Ohio, passed away at Majora Lane surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 26, 2026 after a short illness.

Sally A. Zarbaugh

Sally Ann Zarbaugh, age 65, of Scio, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Weirton Medical Center.

Elderly man smiling in a cap with a red background.

Albert Yoder

Albert Yoder, age 79, of Uniontown went home to be with the Lord on April 22, 2026.

Smiling man with gray hair and beard outdoors.

Peter Scalambrino

Peter Frank Scalambrino, 74, of New Philadelphia, OH went to be with The Lord Jesus Christ unexpectedly on Saturday, March 21st, 2026 at his home in Winter Haven, FL.

Close-up portrait of an elderly man with glasses.

Dale D. Matics

Dale D. Matics, formerly of Amsterdam, passed away peacefully at Centreville Village in Carrollton on Monday evening, April 13, 2026. Dale was born Nov. 29, 1935, the eldest son of Jarrett and Tillie (Peterson) Matics. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Evelyn, Nancy and Larry.

Elderly woman with curly hair smiling outdoors.

Bea McPherson

Bea Shaheen McPherson, affectionately known to many as “Aunt Bea”, of Hartville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of April 17, 2026. She was 104 years old.

Sara L. Wright

Sara L. Wright, 89, of Coshocton, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Ronald L. Fittro

Ronald Lee Fittro, 74, of Jewett, Ohio, passed away on April 13, 2026, at Valley Hospice Care Center North in Steubenville, Ohio.

Thomas E. Phillips

Thomas Ewing “Tom” Phillips, 74, of Cadiz, formerly of Chillicothe, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at The Meadows of Cadiz.

Harold L. Howell

Harold L. Howell, 89, passed away April 17, 2026.

Cathy Kobel

Catherine “Cathy” Kobel, a cherished soul known for her boundless generosity and vibrant spirit, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, at Oak Pointe Nursing Home, in Baltic.

Henry D. Miller

Henry D. "Sausage" Miller, age 77, of Millersburg, Ohio passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Sycamore Run Nursing Home in Millersburg.

Paul L. Mills

Paul L. Mills, 98, of Carrollton, passed away Thursday evening, April 16, 2026, at Centreville Village in Carrollton.

Brian Koch

Brian Richard Koch passed away suddenly Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Carole Bantum

Carole Jean (Snyder) Bantum, 88, passed away Monday, April 13, 2026, at Lafayette Pointe Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in West Lafayette.

Rodney Merce

Rodney L. Merce, 73, of Kimbolton, passed away on April 16, 2026.

Jean E. Burchfield

Jean E. Burchfield, 98, of Coshocton, passed away at Altercare of Coshocton on Wednesday April 15, 2026.

Mary Alice Reed

Mary Alice Reed, 95, passed away at home March 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, just as she wished.

Betty Lou Masters

Betty Lou Masters, age 89, of Millersburg, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday evening, April 16, 2026, at Majora Lane Care Center, Millersburg, Ohio, following a period of declining health.

Georgia Mae Wackerly

Georgia Mae Wackerly, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on April 11, 2026. She was born on July 29, 1930 to the late Wayne and Mary Austin.

Dolores Rose Lindenbaum

Dolores Rose (Dobransky) Lindenbaum, 92, of Canton, passed away peacefully at home April 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Donna Mae Tuckosh

Donna Mae Tuckosh, 80, of Amsterdam, passed away April 12, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center in Canton.

Ethel May Tinlin

Ethel “Tucky” May Tinlin, 89, a former Carrollton resident, died Tuesday evening, March 31, 2026, in West Chester.

Donna L. Point

Donna L. Point, born Sept. 20, 1936, near Elida, Ohio, to the late John and Ethel (Layman) Powell, died Apr. 13, 2026, in her home near Kenton, Ohio, aged 89 years, 6 months and 24 days.

Betty L. Cap

Betty L. Cap, 82, of Baltic, Ohio, passed away at her daughter's home in Dover on April 14, 2026.

Man speaking at a wooden podium outdoors with two people and parked vehicles behind him.

Parade, cemetery services mark Memorial Day in Malvern

Modern society often becomes distracted from the true meaning of sacrifice and duty

Jane Goodall-inspired exhibit now on display in Carrollton

'What Would Jane Do?' show features regional artists, wildlife themes and environmental messages

Memorial Day ceremonies planned in Minerva, Paris Township

Programs at Liberty, Valley Street and East Lawn cemeteries will include guest veterans, student speakers and military honors

Historic stone courthouse building with a clock tower on a sunny day.

Carroll commissioners seek providers for underserved broadband areas

Request for proposals will allow multiple providers to bid on remaining coverage areas

View Community Calendar

Find us on Facebook

The Free Press Standard

THE LATEST

Local

Health District warns residents about growing tick risks

Cases of Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses continue climbing locally

Two elderly women sitting close together indoors, smiling and leaning heads together.

Elder abuse warning signs outlined

Elder abuse is defined as an intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or other person that causes harm or places an older adult at serious risk of harm

Eight people stand in a line indoors in front of framed photo collages.

Carroll County students visit Statehouse

The Carroll County Off-Site Court Student Ambassadors visited Columbus

Four people in an office, with two men holding a ceremonial check in the foreground.

EOG donation moves Carroll County closer to EMA drone purchase

Project is nearing halfway point without taxpayer funding

Farm Bureau holds data center discussion in Scio

Attendees seeking details on proposed locations and plans received little specific information

CHS student directors honored at Playhouse Square

The Stay Gold Project is an educational initiative that recognizes students who demonstrate empathy, authenticity, kindness and compassion

Conotton Valley board rescinds appointment, names new member

Nathan Pounds, who was present at the May 5 meeting, was appointed as the district’s fifth member

Sports

Minerva athletes earn spring EBC honors

Minerva coach Arin Rettig was named EBC Coach of the Year

Large group standing and sitting for a posed photo in a hallway with wood-paneled walls.

Unified sports banquet celebrates inclusion, teamwork

The program combines general education students with developmentally and intellectually disabled students on blended teams in football, basketball and track

Batter in red swings at a pitch with catcher and umpire behind home plate.

Minerva baseball closes season battling through tough losses

Minerva baseball opened the week with a 4-0 loss at Sandy Valley May 12 despite strong pitching

Carrollton teams shut down opponents

Carrollton baseball spent the week pitching shutouts and running wild on the bases

Two baseball players slide toward a base while an umpire watches on a baseball field.

Malvern closes regular season with offensive outburst

Malvern opened postseason softball play May 11 by once again facing Inter-Valley Conference North Division rival Strasburg-Franklin

Conotton Valley senior athletes sign with colleges

Conotton Valley announced the signings of two senior athletes

A softball in a glove resting on a bat on a dirt baseball field.

Conotton Valley wins OVAC Class 1A overall championship

Conotton Valley has now been the Class 1A overall champion in three of the past four years, including the past two years

Public Record

Close-up of cracked asphalt pavement with white painted lines and small weeds growing from the crack.

Malvern approves health coverage, discusses village upkeep

Council members also discuss park upgrades, drainage concerns and village maintenance priorities

Several workers in reflective vests and helmets stand near a Carroll County, Ohio hazardous utility trailer outdoors.

County emergency drill tests response plans across Carroll County

EMA Director Tom Cottis and Deputy Director Dustin Lucas updated commissioners on the county’s full-scale Local Emergency Planning Committee exercise

Senate passes bill honoring Trooper Cayton

A graduate of Carrollton High School, Cayton served in the Ohio Army National Guard before beginning a 13-year career with the Ohio State Highway Patrol