Valley View Online

Ward A. Lindenmuth (on January 30, 2010)

There have been few like him around here. The Germantown and Valley View communities lost one of their most popular and revered community pillars this week, a man who led an effective, compassionate and joyous life, qualities he shared with everyone around him.

Ward A. Lindenmuth, Jr., age 83,  passed away in his sleep Tuesday February 2, 2010 at his home in Germantown, Ohio. An Army veteran of WW II, Ward was the son of Ward A. (an educator in the Germantown schools) and Omah H. (Smith) Lindenmuth, born April 29, 1926.  His sister Ida Louella (“Lindy”) Brockmeyer and an infant sister Marjorie Louise, predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife of  58 years Joanna M. (O’Connor) Lindenmuth, as well as three daughter, Sherri Vincent (Darrell) of Eaton, Patricia L. Leppla (Gary) of Germantown and Krista Storms (Jim) of Farmersville, and a son W. Roderick (Rick) Lindenmuth of Worthington.  His devoted grandchildren  include Brandon, Elicia and Sarah Vincent; Dominic, Miranda and Philip Leppla; Roderick (“RJ”), Andrea and Wesley Lindenmuth; and Joshua and Jessica Storms.

Ward will be remembered for his quietly effective leadership as a vocational agriculture teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in the local schools. Other than his time in the Army, as a student at The Ohio State University (B.S. Agri/Educ 1950, M.S. 1957, Alpha Gamma Sigma) where he met Joanna,  and one year teaching in Versailles, Ward spent his entire life in German Township.

Upon the occasion of the consolidation of Germantown and Farmersville Local Schools into the Valley View School District in the late 1960’s, Ward was a key player in smoothing the transition, acting as the last principal of Germantown High School, and as the de facto principal at Valley View during the early days. He moved on to be the Assistant Superintendent of Valley View schools (where he was inducted into the Valley View Hall of Fame in 2006), streamlining the transportation system, dramatically upgrading the curriculum and providing long established local understanding and leadership.

As a member of the Germantown Lions Club (where he had served as president and had perfect attendance for over 36 years extending to the time of his death); the Historical Society of Germantown (he sometimes called it “hysterical” in good humor, having been a Charter member);  as a past valued member of the Day-Mont West Community Health Board; an active member of the Germantown Alumni Association (past-president); Chair of the Germantown Rescue Squad Annual Fund drive (where he led the effort to raise over $90,000); as an active member of the statewide Ohio Vocational Association (past Secretary) and as a Life Member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association, his example of involvement and service, honor and integrity, kindness to all and loyalty to his family and Church (Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church in Germantown) was singular.  Ward was a proud graduate of Ohio State, a loyal friend and companion to buddies like his sidekick Frank Kozarec, and the ultimate family man.

Ward Lindenmuth was a role model and a complete gentleman. The lives he touched as an administrator and teacher , the impact he had as a parent, spouse and grandfather, and the good will he generated through community service are his legacy.

Visitation will be held by the family from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dalton Funeral Home in Germantown, Ohio on Thursday February 4, 2010. A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church in Germantown on Friday February 5, 2010 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider contributions to Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church in Germantown or the Germantown Fire and EMS.

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