Class Notes
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Rev. Robert Martin received a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Reformed Spirituality from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, in May of 2022. Rev. Martin has served Presbyterian churches in Chicago, Il., South Bend, IN., Plainfield, NJ, and currently pastors the First Presbyterian Church in Athens, Ohio.
Herb Fitzer retired from Zanesville City Schools in June of 2014. During his educational career, Herb taught at Meadowbrook High School, Zanesville High School and The Muskingum County Juvenile Detention Center. One of the duties Herb enjoyed was coaching young people--he coached Track, Cross Country and Wrestling at Meadowbrook, Swimming, Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track at Zanesville and coached Cross Country and Track at Tri-Valley High School after he retired from teaching. He ended his paid coaching career in 2019 and is presently a volunteer coach at Muskingum University.
Matthew Robert Huffman, 67, passed from this life peacefully, surrounded by his entire family on Friday, June 16, 2023. He finished his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University. He was born in Greenville, Ohio on April 7, 1956 to R. Dean and Phyllis K. (Elliott) Huffman. He attended high school at West Jefferson High School, Bucyrus High School, and graduated from Cory-Rawson High School in 1975, where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He was an All-Ohio athlete in football his senior year and played in The Big 33 Ohio-Pennsylvania All Star game in 1975. He then attended Muskingum College where he was All-OAC for football in '77 & '78, became a member of the MACE Club and graduated in 1979, earning a degree in Elementary Education. He began his teaching career at Mt. Sterling Elementary in 1979 and coached football at Madison Plains High School. He remained there for four years before assuming a Memorial Middle School teaching position in West Jefferson, Ohio, where he taught for 31 years until his retirement in 2014. At West Jefferson, he coached football for the majority of his career and remained an avid Roughrider football fan, attending almost every game with his good friend Skeeter Nelson after his retirement. In addition, he also coached basketball and baseball and served as the Middle School Athletic Director for several years. While teaching at West Jeff, he earned his Master's Degree in Education from Wright State University in 2004. During retirement, he enjoyed playing rounds of golf across Ohio with his brother, Jeff, and good friend Greg McPherson. Matt worked in catering for the suites in Nationwide Arena for Delaware North, as well as many weddings and celebrations at the Columbus Zoo. As an active member of Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, he served the church as a choir member, Extraordinary Minister of The Holy Eucharist, usher, and was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus in the parish. He particularly enjoyed the fellowship of the "Morning Mass group" in his retirement years where his faith and friendships deepened. Matt loved his family and was the best husband, father, and Pap Pap. He loved traveling with Val, his wife of 43 years, supporting their children and grandchildren, and spending time with all of them. He was their biggest fan, attending every football game, gymnastics meet, and event he could. Having the family together for holidays, birthdays and vacations to the beach were his favorite and most memorable times. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Phyllis (Elliott) Huffman, parents-in-law Donald and Cynthia (Chenos) Brake, and brothers-in-law Donnie Brake, Tony Bruno, and Tim Grice. He is survived by his wife Valerie, sons Adam (Katie) Huffman, Ian Huffman, daughter Hilary (Jake) Watts, and son Seth Huffman, grandchildren Addie, Ellie, Matthew, Sarah, Mia and Macen, as well as siblings Jeff (Gayle) Huffman, Carol Grice, and Rita Huffman, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends from all over. The family would like to give a special thank-you to the staff and care team at The James for their tremendous support, knowledge, and compassion during the past few weeks.
Trafford Dick, 65, of Zanesville, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at the Genesis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born August 5, 1957, a son of the late C. Trafford and Marilyn Dick. Trafford was a graduate of Zanesville High School, Muskingum (College) University where he received his Bachelor's Degree, Case Western Reserve School of Law, and the University of Miami (Florida) with a Master's Degree of Taxation. Trafford was a member and Trustee of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He practiced law in Zanesville and served as Assistant Law Director and Muskingum County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. Presently he was working part time in the Zanesville municipal Court. He was a member of the Muskingum Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the FOP Lodge 195. Through the years he was an avid tennis player, enjoyed watching Formula One Racing, PGA Golf, U of M football, basketball and Ohio State football. He also sold and took tickets for Zanesville High School sporting events. He is survived by his sister, Valencia (Dick) Clark; cousins, John and Bev Dick and family, Connie and Sonny Coleman and family. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Terry Clark; and cousins, Thomas Dick and Aunt Alice Dick; Uncle, Richard Bridwell.
Karen Roman Fischer, age 67, a dedicated librarian and longtime resident of Mansfield, Ohio, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, November 10, 2024, with the support of Hospice of the Western Reserve. Born on September 20, 1957, in Middletown, Connecticut, Karen was the oldest child of Felix and Katherine (Biggs) Roman.
Karen graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1975 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in History from Muskingum College, followed by a Master's degree in Library Science from Kent State University. Her career began with the Social Security Administration in Cambridge, and she later worked at O'Neil's Department Store (now Macy's), where she met Geoffrey Fischer. Karen uncharacteristically made the first move, and they were married on May 9, 1987. The couple shared 37 years of love and partnership. They settled in Mansfield where they raised their two children: Katherine and Matthew.
Karen was a librarian with the Mansfield Richland County Public Library for over two decades, first serving as an Audio Visual Librarian before becoming part of Collection Development. In this role, she curated the library's music and DVD collections, leaving a lasting impact on generations of readers and viewers. An avid reader, she particularly loved cozy mysteries and was fascinated by English history and the British Royal family.
Karen was a devoted animal lover with a special fondness for cats-her husband, despite being allergic, was the first to bring home a stray, opening the door to many feline rescues over the years. She was also a member of the Columbus Zoo, where she found joy in her love for animals, capturing countless photos of her favorites.
A private person at heart, Karen's love language was simply "being there"-she treasured spending quiet time with family and friends.. She had a remarkable memory for dates and details and amassed a beloved collection of dolls, including American Girl dolls, Barbies, and more. Her co-workers became dear friends, and they enjoyed outings and theater together.
Karen is survived by her loving husband, Geoffrey Fischer; her daughter, Katherine Fischer, and son, Matthew Fischer all of Mansfield and all of whom loved her dearly and were instrumental in her care; her younger brothers, Donald (Barbara) Roman of Hilliard, Ohio, and Robert Roman of Mansfield; her brothers-in-law, Robert (Kathy) Fischer of Dublin, Ohio, and Daniel (Laura) Fischer of Mansfield; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and feline companions.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Katherine Roman, and her in-laws, Glenn and Lois Fischer.
A funeral service for Judi Ann Kocher, 69, of Newark will be held at 1:00p.m. Friday July 11th 2025 at Family of Faith Community Church, with pastor Josh Lawrence officiating. Her burial will follow at Wilson Cemetery. Ms. Kocher, a Licking Valley Elementary School Physical Education teacher passed away early in the morning July 1st , 2025, surrounded by family, at The James Cancer Hospital. She was born July 12th 1955 in Zanesville to JoAnn (Barker) Kocher, and the late Paul Kocher.