Marilyn A. (Reed) Spiegel

Dr. Marilyn Reed Spiegel, Ph.D.

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Marilyn went home to be with the Lord leaving behind two children Brad (Janet) Spiegel of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Michele (Pete) Prichard of Lima, OH; five grandchildren Eric Prichard, Erin (Nick) Perrotte, Ben, Jen, and Jacki Spiegel; two great grandchildren Caleb and Emelia Perrotte; and a sister Ellen Overmyer.  She was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, and parents-in-law.

Marilyn was born in 1940 to Gratten and Freda Reed.  She grew up in Attica, OH graduating from Attica High School in 1958 where she excelled in academics, 4-H, music, and sports.  She graduated in 1962 from Baldwin Wallace College with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education.

In 1961 she married Charles J. Spiegel a graduate of The Ohio State University and an officer in the United States Air Force.  They settled near Cleveland while she completed college and he launched his career in agricultural chemicals.  They had two children Brad (1962) and Michele (1965) moving to Lima just prior to her birth.  Marilyn taught in the Lima Public Schools.

In 1971, the family launched an agricultural business in Liberty Center, OH and relocated outside of Napoleon where Marilyn taught at Wauseon High School.  She was widowed at the age of 33.

Not content that she could provide the opportunities she wanted for the family, she returned to school earning a Master of Education from Bowling Green State University while continuing to teach full time.  Upon completion of her Masters, she joined The Ohio State University Extension Service first as County Agent, Home Economics in Van Wert County and then Lucas County.  Concurrent with those roles, she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Toledo in the field of Educational Administration and Supervision.

In 1990 she was promoted and relocated to Columbus becoming a member of the OSU Extension administrative cabinet ultimately climbing to head the Family and Consumer Sciences function and serving as an Associate Dean.  She was the recipient of multiple state and national awards in her profession including the Greenwood Doctoral Fellowship.

In her retirement: she moved back to Lima, started a consulting firm, served as the church administrator for South Side Christian Church, and co-authored a book with Dr. Jo Jones her friend and colleague on the history of the OSU Extension Service.  She relished her time with grandchildren and travelled extensively prior to debilitating health issues.

Marilyn represented the definition of tenacity.  She took on every challenge trusting in the Lord, seeking excellence, setting and accomplishing big goals, and making a difference for others.

Her family will receive friends on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 9-11a.m. at South Side Christian Church, Lima, Ohio, where a funeral service will begin at 11a.m. Rev. Todd Cosart and Rev. Wanda Werking will officiate. Burial will later follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus, Ohio.

Honorariums may be made to the Marilyn Spiegel Excellence Award at The Ohio State University Extension or South Side Christian Church.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.