Roy E. Schmunk

Roy E. Schmunk, 93, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024. He was born in Defiance, Ohio on June 28, 1930, the son of the late John and Florence (Bailey) Schmunk. Roy was a Godly man who leaves behind a legacy of love, encouragement, kindness, and humor. He received a degree in education from Findley College and a masters in educational administration from Bowling Green University. 

His family moved to Findlay, Ohio, where he met his first wife, Helen (McCormick) at the church they attended. After graduating from Findlay College, Uncle Sam called him to duty, so Roy married his sweetheart, and joined the Army. Instead of Korea, the army sent him to Japan to teach typing and other office skills. While there he was blessed with the opportunity to lead Bible studies with the Japanese people who lived close to the base.

 After he was discharged, a man knocked on his door and asked Roy if would teach biology at the high school. Over the years, he was a school principal in Bluffton, OH, school superintendent in Liberty Center, OH, superintendent of Clark-Shawnee schools and the Clark County Schools superintendent. On retirement, Roy worked at Cedarville College as an adjunct professor. During his career he used his leadership skills as vice president of the Ohio County School Superintendent Association, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio School Boards Association, Clark-Shawnee Board of Education and served the community by involvement in the Rotary Club where he was a past president. He attended the Hillside Ave Church of God from the time the family moved to Springfield in 1965. Roy served there on boards, in the choir and with his amazing speaking voice, was the go-to narrator for cantatas. He taught Sunday School and was the Ohio State Church of God Men vice president. 

After 45 wonderful years of marriage, Helen passed on to heaven. God didn’t plan for Roy to be alone, so He arranged for him to meet Phyllis Cox/Dillon on a church bus tour to Mt. Rushmore. The families welcomed each other with open arms. Roy was a loving and supportive father and grandfather whose life pointed his loved ones to Christ. He will be greatly missed. 

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Phyllis Schmunk; his daughters, Linda (Earl) Hoover of Springfield, OH; Tuesday Hippensteel of Brookings, OR; son, Mark (Tonya) Schmunk of Springfield, OH; step-daughters Pam Dillon of Springboro, OH; Gaye Dillon of West Carolton, OH; step-sons, Mark (Kathy) Dillon of Miamisburg, OH; Scott (Shirley) Dillon of Kettering OH; Grandchildren, Krista (Joe) Lambdin of Urbana OH; Stephanie Hoover/Bowman of Palm Coast, FL; Kathleen Hoover of Palm Coast, FL; Eric (Angie) Hoover of Kettering, OH; Anthony (Britteny) Schmunk of Marysville; Amanda Schmunk of Columbus, OH; Katie (Cameron) Kowalski of Monterey, CA; Christopher (Samantha) Dillion of Miamisburg, OH; Brad Dillon of Franklin, OH; Chip (Erica) Dillon of Vancouver, BC; Corey Dillon of Columbus, OH; Colin Dillon of Ft. Wayne, IN; Craig (Marisol) Dillon of Albuquerque, NM; and eleven great grandchildren. 

Roy was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Schmunk; sister Joyce Schmunk Leach: brother-in-law, Daryl Leach; son-in-law, David Hippensteel; and step-sons, Rod Dillon and Dave Dillon.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Jackson Lytle & Lewis Celebration of Life Center in Springfield.

Family viewing will start at 10:00AM followed by the funeral service at 11AM, Thursday, February 22, at the Hillside Ave. Church of God. Grave side service will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.jacksonlytle.com