OBITUARIES

Phyllis Lynn Chapman Kuestner died on Monday, October 10, 2022 in Austinburg, Ohio surrounded by children and grandchildren. She had been ill with advanced Parkinson’s and dementia for some years.

She was born in Warren, Ohio on February 1, 1931 to Jean Hallett Chapman and Ralph Chapman.

Although an only child, she grew up with beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. She traveled via ship to Europe after World War Two to volunteer at a camp for Displaced Persons. She graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she met her future husband, Paul Kuestner. They married in 1951, and were together for almost 64 years until Paul’s death in 2016.

She is survived by her four children, Lisa Kuestner Smith (Alan), Johanna Kuestner Street (Russell), Mark Kuestner (Linda), and Rolf Kuestner (Sue); grandchildren Alex Kuestner, Holly Kuestner Gaston (Bryan), Jesse Street, Deborah Street Johnson (Clayton), Libby Smith and great grandchildren.

Phyllis grew up in rural northeastern Ohio and loved farming and the out-of-doors all her life. She and Paul moved to Oberlin, Ohio to raise their children in 1962. In the late 1960s, she and Paul moved the family to a small farm outside of Oberlin where they raised goats, geese, chickens, ducks and horses. Their gardens were lush with organic vegetables and fruit, providing produce for themselves and others well into their retirement years. Their asparagus bed was huge and fed many.

Phyllis loved to write. She wrote poetry, fiction as well as nonfiction pieces. Her birthday and Christmas greetings were always special creations of art and poetry. She bequeathed to her children and their children her love of nature and joy in creating art and writing. While remaining a Quaker at heart her whole life, she enjoyed her many years worshiping with friends and neighbors in Oberlin at the Peace Community Church, where she and husband Paul were stalwart supporters. She was particularly interested in feminism in Christianity and spent long hours studying and discussing how to exist in a male-dominated faith while being true to the female. She and Paul were staunch community activists, with special focus on peace and justice issues. They could be seen on Oberlin’s Tappan Square well into their senior years on many a cold day, holding banners and bearing witness to loving their neighbors, and acknowledging that of God in each of us. She was interested in mental health issues throughout her life, working in various local agencies to help others. She loved the Oberlin Public Library and was an avid reader. In addition to her and Paul’s community activities their home was a relaxed and welcoming place that many enjoyed visiting.

A memorial service for Phyllis will be held at the Peace Community Church, 44 E Lorain St., Oberlin, OH 44074 on Saturday, December 10, at 11:30 a.m.

Memorial donations can be made to your local food pantry, the American Friends Service Committee or a charity of your choice