WBNOWQCT Your favorite Rock & Classics!
Carmen Marie (Dean) Frazer went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 23, 2022, just two days shy of her one-hundred-and-third birthday. She was born a Christmas baby, on December 25, 1919, to Margaret and Harry Bowman in Bryan, Ohio.
Her long life allowed her to live through walking to school in snow up to her knees to a one-room school, seeing cars replacing horses as the mode of transportation, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, experiencing talking on the phone for the first time, as well as numerous other changes that took place over the past century.
Carmen was a graduate of West Unity High School and from there earned her degree at Davis Business College. She worked at The Ohio Art Company in Bryan, Ohio before leaving her occupation to raise a family and support her husband in many business ventures. She never looked back after putting her engagement ring in her shoe and dancing the night away, when she spotted her soon-to-be husband, Harold Dean. She worked by his side on the farm and served many big meals to hired help during bailing and harvest seasons. After her children were grown, Carmen worked for her husband at Bryan Truck Line utilizing her secretarial skills once again.
She was preceded in death after twenty-five years of marriage by her husband, Harold. Together, they had four children whom she leaves behind to mourn her absence: Ron (Denise)Dean, Brenda (Tom) Duvendack, Janis Watson (Gil Nafziger), and Larry (Michelle) Dean.
Later, she married Charles Frazer and became a stepmother to Ann (Dan) Pape and Dean (Kim) Frazer who will also miss her presence in their lives. Carmen and Charlie enjoyed a busy and fun life together for thirty-five years until his passing in 2007. They canned and froze numerous vegetables that Charlie grew in his large garden and made wonderful memories with numerous friends over the years. Her grandkids all remember playing SkipBo, fireworks at the lake with popcorn, and strawberry Nestle’s Quik when visiting Grandma & Grandpa.
Carmen was preceded in death by sisters, Ruth Francis and Wilma Myers and son-in-law, Russ Watson. She leaves behind a sister-in-law, Cara Lou Frazer.
She was blessed with thirteen wonderful grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Lisa (Kip) Winzeler, Hollie (Doug) Bella, Nathan (Kristal) Saneda, Tad (Kristine) Duvendack, John (Andrea) Duvendack, Hannah Duvendack, Christopher (Stacey) Watson, Stacee (Nick) Lukachek, Eric (Sheila) Watson, Zach Dean, Stefanie (Josh) Rees, Laura Pape and Dennis Shaffer.
Great grandchildren born to her include Sidney Winzeler Derrico, Katie and Spencer Winzeler, Alexandria Bella Creasor and daughter Everly, Austin, Alivia Carmen, and Ian Bella, Naomi, Lauren and Samuel Saneda, Brady, son Thomas and Brecken Duvendack, Anthony and Sarah Duvendack, Kellen Duvendack, Aidan and Ethan Watson, Cooper and Kora Watson, Jayce and Josie Carmen Lukachek, and Camille and Claire Rees.
Carmen loved her many nieces and nephews and treasured their frequent visits. She thoroughly enjoyed having them spend summertime visits at the farm when they were young. Carmen and Harold built a cottage on Clear Lake, Indiana and it was always packed with kids, grandkids and their friends. Her motto was always “the more the merrier” and she lived that lifestyle. They loved seeing their kids have fun and the last bucket of water thrown down the hall ending a water balloon fight was no surprise. Carmen often had to step over sleeping bags to get to the coffee pot in the morning, yet you never heard her complain. Her kind and gentle spirit was a trait she exemplified throughout her life. She was always up for an adventure and hopping on the back of her grandson’s Harley to take a ride when she was ninety-four was a memory for all. It was a gift to have nieces, nephews and grandkids visit her and often bring and share lunch with her as she became unable to get out much. It made her day and she talked about it often. Each of them was a special blessing that she cherished.
Carmen was a member of the West Unity Methodist Church. She was always a willing worker and loved helping with the socials and mincemeat projects. Recently she asked to be baptized in her home as she could not recall ever taking that step in her walk of faith.
She loved her social life and enjoyed her bridge club friends and bowling team for many years. She never missed the opportunity to go somewhere and never turned down an invitation to do so. She often entertained dinner guests followed by an evening of cards and laughter. Spending time with her friends brought her much joy.
Carmen’s family is extremely grateful for the loving care given by dear friends who helped made it possible and fun for her to live out her last years in the comfort of her own home.
Private family burial will take place in Shiffler Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio. A memorial service celebrating Carmen’s life will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at West Unity United Methodist Church, 311, North Liberty Street, West Unity, Ohio, with Pastor Tony Scott officiating. The family will greet guest one hour prior to the service at the church beginning at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are in care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, West Unity, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the West Unity Methodist Church, where she enjoyed attending until she was unable to participate or Community Health Professionals Home Care and Hospice, 1215 South Portland Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506.