Nancy Klopfer

Nancy C. Klopfer, 98, of Dover, Ohio, died peacefully at Park Village Health Care Center on February 20, 2015, where she was a resident for five years.

Born August 1, 1916 in Bellevue, PA, to the late Emma Elizabeth Barr and Joseph Hart Caughey, Nancy was the youngest of three Caughey children. She graduated from Bellevue High School in 1934, and Miami University of Ohio, with a degree in Home Economics, in 1938.

That fall, she began teaching Home Economics at Newton School in Pleasant Hill, Ohio. She met her future husband, Virlen Louie Klopfer, a physical education teacher, the first week she was there. Virlen and Nancy were married on July 29, 1942, in Pittsburgh, PA; two weeks after Nancy completed her Master’s Degree from Ohio University.

Virlen and Nancy’s first child, Robert Virlen Klopfer, was born in 1945, while Virlen was serving overseas during WWII. William Hart, John Louie, and Michael Jay were born over the next five years. Nancy and their boys moved with and supported Virlen as he served as superintendent for three school districts—Bethel, Germantown, and Beavercreek Schools, all in Ohio. During summers, they explored the United States, Mexico, and Canada, traveling with a tent in their station wagon.

When the boys were grown, Nancy went back to teaching in the Mad River School District, where she taught second grade for nine years. In 1973, she and Virlen moved to Sun City, Arizona, where they enjoyed retirement until they returned to Ohio in 2000, to be near family.

Nancy is survived by three sons: Robert V. (Jane Meese) and William H. Klopfer, both of Dover, OH; and Michael J. (Laurie Braden) Klopfer of Bellbrook, OH; Seven grandchildren: Kari A. (Erich) Bichsel of Dover, OH; Kyle R. (Jennifer) Klopfer of Mill Valley, CA; Kelly J. (Jeremy) Rager of New Philadelphia, OH; William H. (Kim) Klopfer, of Columbus, OH; Brian J. (Jennifer) Klopfer of Dover, OH; David M. (Jennifer) Klopfer of Mason, OH; and Elizabeth L. (Nathan) Weddle of Lebanon, OH. There are ten great-grandchildren, Curtis R. and Luke K. Klopfer, Jack R. and Annie L. Bichsel, Bexleigh A. Klopfer, Lexi J. and Lauren E. Rager, Ryan T. Weddle, Benjamin B. Klopfer, and Samantha H. Klopfer; and an expected 11th great-grandchild will be arriving soon.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Virlen, who went to his heavenly home in August, 2002, shortly after their 60th wedding anniversary celebration; their son, John Louie in 1962; daughter-in-law, Patricia Shelley Klopfer; brother and wife, John Hart (Elizabeth Bowman) Caughey; and sister and husband Elizabeth (C. Roger) Stegmaier.

In keeping with Nancy’s wishes cremation will take place through Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory. The family will plan a private service for interment in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Miami County, OH.

Memorial contributions in Nancy’s name may be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.