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Patricia J. Strickler Schultheiss

Patricia J. Strickler Schultheiss

Patricia Joan Scott Strickler Schultheiss, 92, passed from this world and through the heavenly gates surrounded by her loving family on Jan. 17, 2025. She was born in Marietta, Ohio, on Dec. 2, 1932, to William Raymond and Golda Mae Scott of Williamstown, WV. Much younger than her four siblings, she always exhibited a strong, but loving spirit that her much older siblings admired and encouraged. This spirit was evident throughout her entire life, affecting everything she did and everyone she met.

Always outgoing, during high school she participated in many activities, including being elected cheerleader each and every year, of which there were only three. She never knew a stranger and developed several lifetime friendships and a love for the town she grew up in. It was also then that she met Howard Eugene (Strick) Strickler, whom she married shortly after graduation.

Never one to sit on the sidelines, she then began a career with BF Goodrich Company, located on the outskirts of Marietta, Ohio, where she worked until she began her family in 1962. In 1967 at the age of 34, she became a widow with three children, all under age 5. Ever the pillar of strength and grace, she tackled this life changing event with boldness, innovation, and perseverance, both building her family a brand-new house in her hometown and developing and operating her own real estate business – each feat a rarity for a woman in those times. Indeed, she was one the first women in this area to buy properties and establish a woman owned and operated business. While this may be an unremarkable practice today, it was unheard of at the time. Her perseverance and success allowed her to raise her three children on her own and to send them all to college. At the same time, she rose to the occasion once again by engaging with her community. She served as den mother, boy scout leader, girl scout leader, tennis coach, city council member, PTA member and a member of just about every community league or organization. She always brought her love, wit and innovation of new ideas to the table. For example, while she was on city council, WXIL made its appearance to the area, and through a friend they were the first to bring radio broadcasters to community events as a way of advertising, bringing people in and maximizing their fundraising impact. She just loved people and her community, and it was plainly evident and roundly recognized by everyone with whom she came into contact. She was truly an incredibly special person.

In 1981 she began dating James Arthur Schultheiss, and they were married in 1987. Together they created a loving home in Marietta, Ohio, where their doors were always open and they enjoyed the love and company of many, many family gatherings with their combined seven children and their spouses and, eventually sixteen grandchildren. As was her trademark, love abounded in the home where everyone was welcome.

Indeed, aside from her success, her focus was always on her family. Not just immediate, but all family-cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews as well, who were often present in her home, and she became a second mother to almost all of them. Close friends were also treated the same and she adopted them all as if they were her own children. Her love was both selfless and fierce. She was always sacrificing her individual needs for others without a second thought, and she ingrained this in her children. Leading by example, she was a role model as to how to treat others with both respect and dignity. Of all she accomplished, this by far is her greatest legacy.

It goes without saying, she will be terribly missed by her family and those that fell within the bounds of her love, but her loving spirit will continue on through them. She is survived by her sons, Scott (Peg) Strickler M.D. and Steve Strickler, her daughter Jill (Jeff) Hearn; four grandsons Zach Strickler, Wyatt Strickler, Darth (Amber) Stalnaker and Dylan (Kelsey) Stalnaker. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Dawn (Tom) Dougherty, Alan Schultheiss, Terri (Solomon) Hunter, Lori (the late Jim) Parker and 14 step great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by both husbands, and her sisters Chris Ayers and Camille McIlyar, and her two brothers Jim Scott and Richie Scott.

The family would like to extend a special thanks the people at Right At Home for their help and care while she was confined to her home. In particular, we would like to thank Tiffany, Teresa, Darlynne, Cheryl, and Debbie, who also discovered Pat’s caring nature and treated her as if she were one of their family. We are forever grateful for the care, love, and compassion that you showed her. We would also like to thank Amedisys Hospice services for their care and compassion, especially Emily who went out of her way countless times to check on her and help coordinate her care. Again, we are so grateful to you.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made in her name to the Williamstown food pantry, where her love and service to the community she grew up in will be well served.

While her physical presence will no longer be with us, she will never be forgotten, and her beautiful nature and legacy of love for others will continue to serve as an inspiration to all whom she touched.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Hadley Funeral Home Reno Chapel, 1021 Pike St., Marietta, OH, with Pastor Rick Eaton officiating, burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday evening, Jan. 24th, at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be made at www.hadleyfh.com.