Erma Opal Struchen

Erma Opal (Kohl) Struchen, 94, of Loudonville and formerly of Gnadenhutten, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009 in Colonial Manor Nursing Home at Loudonville.A daughter of Benjamin and Ora (Edwards) Kohl, Erma was born February 15, 1915 at Gnadenhutten, Ohio.A life long resident of Gnadenhutten, Erma graduated from Gnadenhutten High School in 1933 as the class valedictorian. Erma worked as a bookkeeper at the former Kohl Lumber in Uhrichsville which was owned by her father and brothers, Ed and Kenny.She was a faithful member of the John Heckewelder Moravian Church at Gnadenhutten for more than 85 years and also taught Sunday School for over 30 years.Erma was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion and was active in Moravian Church circles. She was an avid follower of Indian Valley sports for many years and enjoyed dancing and traveling.Erma cherished her family and her life revolved around her children, grandchildren and her brothers and their wives.She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Bob) Gribble of Loudonville; her son, David (Sherill) Struchen of Dennison; four grandchildren , Richard (Heidy) Struchen of Uhrichsville, Haelee (Jim) Wallick of Massillon, Wende (John) Lance and Tara (Mark) Lewis both of Loudonville; 9 great grandchildren; two brothers, Ronald (Bette) Kohl of New Philadelphia and Ed Kohl of Dover; sister-in-law, Betty Lou (Bob) Baker of Dover and a special friend, Howard Frank of Dover.Erma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ira R. Struchen who passed away on December 2, 1976 and two brothers, Harold and Kenneth Kohl.Family and friends may call on Friday, May 29, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Erma’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Chapel with Pastor Scot Caley officiating. Burial will follow in Clay Union Cemetery at Gnadenhutten. Following the committal service, a memorial reception will be held in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia. Contributions may be made in Erma’s memory to the John Heckewelder Moravian Church, P.O. Box 126, Gnadenhutten, OH 44629.