Florine Zuercher, 94, Strong Woman of Faith


Florine Zuercher died on Saturday morning, June 8, at the Crystal Care Center in Ashland.

Florine was born on July 15, 1918, the second child of John and Aldena (Ebnit) Zurcher in rural Adams County, Indiana. Her mother died in childbirth when Florine was 15 years old, and as the oldest daughter, she took on homemaking responsibilities for the family and helped raise her seven younger siblings. Florine had no formal education past the eighth grade, but had a lifelong interest in self-learning.

Florine married Herb Zuercher on July 16, 1939, and made news headlines by only adding an “e” to her name. Florine and Herb were blessed with four sons: Herb Jr, Ted, Ken, and Tom, and prior to his death in 2003, they celebrated 64 years of marriage.

As a homemaker all of her life, Florine was focused on her family and her faith. Getting together with family was always something she looked forward to, and there was plenty of laughter, fun, and good food. She will be remembered for her “green” applesauce, rhubarb custard, and cold-packed grape juice. Along with her husband, Herb, Florine enjoyed traveling around the world to visit various family members serving in Christian Ministry.

Florine originally became a Christian while attending the Reformed Church early in her life and was active in the Church of the Nazarene and the Church of the Brethren for over eighty years. She was a Sunday School Teacher, Missionary President, Bible School Director, Children’s Director, and Choir member. Her piano playing was an inspiration to all who loved the great hymns of the church. Florine was a woman of strong faith and her love of Jesus Christ was a witness for all who knew her.

Florine and Herb relocated to the Ashland in 1999 and she became a member of the Dickey Church of the Brethren, attending faithfully each week until her fall late in 2012. At the time of her death, Florine was recognized as the oldest member of the congregation.

In addition to her parents, Florine was preceded in death by her husband, Herb Zuercher, her son, Ted Zuercher, and grandson, Jay Zuercher. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Esther, and her brothers, Harry, Floyd, Norman, and Allen.

She is survived by her children; Herb & Alice Zuercher of Bradenton, Florida, Marge Zuercher of North Canton, Ken & Shirley Zuercher of Cincinnati, and Tom & Susan Zuercher of Ashland, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, her sister, Elizabeth of Phoenix, Arizona, and brothers, Leonard of Ft Wayne, Indiana and John of Berne, Indiana.


A Celebration of Florine’s Life will be, Friday, June 14, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Dickey Church of the Brethren, 1509 Township Road 655, Ashland, OH 44805 with Pastor Tom Zuercher officiating. Friends may call on Friday, June 14, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the church or one hour prior to the service. A casual graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the Dickey Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren Building Fund, 1509 Township Road 655, Ashland, Ohio, 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences or to light a candle in memory of Florine, may be done on the funeral home’s website at www.dpkfh.com.

Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Affiliations

Church of the Brethren