Claire E. Ohl

AGE: 95 • Watchung

Claire E. Ohl, 95, went home to be in the presence of Jesus on April 10, 2016 at Shawnee Manor, Lima, Ohio.

Claire was born December 23, 1920 in Newark, N.J. to Joseph and Louise (Maresch) Muller who preceded her in death. On February 12, 1944, she married John H. Ohl who preceded her in death on October 23, 1994.

Claire graduated from Montclair State Teachers College in 1941 then worked as a Technical Assistant at Bell Laboratories before serving her country as a US Navy Wave in WWII from 1943 to 1945. During the war, she married John H. Ohl who was serving in the US Army Air Corps. After the war and through 1951, she again worked at Bell Labs until she decided to leave the workforce to raise her two sons John and Glenn. Between 1961 and 1983, Claire was a Mathematics Teacher at Governor Livingston Regional H.S., Berkley Heights. As a retiree, Claire became a certified EMT responder with the all-volunteer Watchung Rescue Squad. Between 1983 and 2014, Claire was a member of the Watchung Rescue Squad and held the positions of Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Auditor. The Watchung Rescue Squad bestowed upon Claire the following: Outstanding Member Award, Distinguished Member Award, Captain's Award, Top Responder Award, 30 Years Outstanding Commitment Award and Life Achievement Award. In 1995, Claire was recipient of the Courier News Star Award to Somerset County Senior, volunteer category. In 2010, Claire was honored by the Somerset County Office on Aging and Board of Chosen Freeholders as a Role Model of Aging. She was a longtime member of Wilson Memorial Union Church having served as Trustee, Treasurer of the Memorial Gardens and Secretary of the church's Women's Guild. In addition, Claire was a volunteer at the Watchung Public Library, Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center and Star Fish of Plainfield, NJ. Claire was an avid NY Mets fan and solver of crossword, Sudoku puzzles and computer games.

Claire was a devoted and faithful wife and a loving mother. Survivors include sons John (Susan) Ohl of Lima, OH and Glenn (Kathleen) Ohl of Wilsonville, OR; six grandchildren, Gregory Ohl, Ryan (Courtney) Ohl, Michael Ohl, Steven Ohl, Kaitlin Ohl and Kimberly (Samuel) Allred; one great-granddaughter Charlotte Ohl and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Carol Gegauff and Doris Mergenhagen and one brother, Joseph Muller.

A memorial service will be held at Wilson Memorial Union Church of Watchung, NJ at 11:00 am Saturday, April 30, 2016 with the Rev. Barbara Peters officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Memorial Union Church or the Watchung Rescue Squad.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier News on Apr. 26, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Claire Ohl

4 Entries

Thomas Mukai

October 15, 2016

It is with great sadness that I learn of Mrs. Ohl's passing. She was my homeroom teacher at Governor Livingston Regional High in 1964 and had a reputation as an excellent math teacher. I still can recall my (and her) surprise in 1967, after I graduated, when her sons together attended Camp Watchung as Boy Scouts, that I was one of their counselors - "Take good care of my sons," she said to me as she dropped them off. Later, home from college around 1970, I ran into her at a supermarket and she related how much the high school environment had changed from the days I had attended. A truly great person who has touched many lives.

Robin Brooks

May 4, 2016

Aunt Claire, thank you for all you did for us. We love you.

Sharon Orlando

April 27, 2016

It is an honor to remember and celebrate Claire who selflessly gave so much to others. I met Claire through her volunteer work at Watchung Library, and I am endlessly grateful to have known her. Though petite in size, she was a powerhouse of deep caring and compassion. She realized that everyone and everything is connected, and her steadfast courage, awareness of community, and moral compass helped everyone who knew her see more and be more. I am certain that her memory and spirit will continue to whisper the wisdom and encouragement that she so ably embodied while on earth. I shall certainly miss seeing you Claire, but I shall keep listening for you in my heart. I send my love to her family and friends.