Shirley Jane Lentz

Shirley Jane Lentz, 80, passed away September 9, 2016 at her home in Suffield, Ohio. Born in LaSalle, Michigan December 20, 1935, to George and Viola Rink, Shirley later moved to Warren, Ohio where she was raised. She graduated at the top of her class at Warren G. Harding High School, and received her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Education from Kent State University. In her 35 year teaching career she taught hundreds of students in various areas of education such as learning disabilities, gifted, language arts and invested 17 years at the 6th grade level. Shirley retired from Suffield Elementary in 1991. The impact she had on her students was astounding. She had the ability to reach each individual child, to nurture and develop their skills, thoughts and feelings. Many students will remember she taught them to use the original Apple Computers. She was respected and admired by her fellow educators and countless children and families. Shirley married the love of her life, Thomas Tucker Lentz June 16th, 1956 and had four children. They had a wonderful life together. Thomas passed away in 1995 and Shirley chose to stay at the home they built together. Grandchildren and great grandchildren have been spending the night, staying up late watching movies, learning card games disguised as math problems and loving on their Grandma Shirley ever since. A talented creative, she spent hours crocheting and hosted many craft shows with her daughters. She loved traveling, especially to the beach with her family. Shirley was a strong willed and independent woman that could capture your attention with her creative personality and inviting smile. She was blessed with the talent of writing that could take you to a different place and time and loved creating beautiful things with her hands. Her friends and family will miss receiving cards written backwards and upside down in her whimsical left handed cursive writing. She will be dearly missed by her family. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas T. Lentz who passed in1995; sisters, Charlotte and Delores; and brother, George. She is survived by her children, Diana (Ron) Dubinsky of Atwater, Sheila Kisamore, Fred (Cindy) Lentz and Cindy (David) Hunt all of Suffield; grandchildren, Emily, Jenny, Bessie Zinz, Allen, Mason, Clara, Eric, Chad, Jeffery, Matt, Tara, Megan and Aubrey; and 21 great grandchildren. Friends and family will be received Wednesday, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Suffield United Church of Christ, 1115 State Route 43, Mogadore (Suffield), Ohio 44260, where a funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. with Pastor Gary R. Friend officiating. A reception will immediately follow. Burial will be Saturday, 10 a.m., at Greenwood Cemetery in Mogadore, 3809 Mogadore Rd., Mogadore, Ohio 44260. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Suffield Township Fire Dept., 1256 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, Ohio 44260. (Hopkins Lawver, AKRON, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com