Carroll David Neidhardt

With a curious nature for learning and teaching, Carroll David Neidhardt carved a unique, broad path in the Marion community over his lifetime through his knowledge of Marion history, art and building and contracting projects intertwining with his public speaking and participation in an array of organizations. He had a confidence with a sense of joy and contagious optimism that fostered his free spirit with an oblique sense of humor that was supportive and encouraging. Born November 14, 1948 to the late Edward Faye Neidhart and Maryellen (Miller-Neidhart) Dune who survives Carroll shared the exact same birthday with King Charles III of Great Britain. On occasion the family would always laugh about this obscure " birthright ability" to re-introduce German heritage back in the House of Windsor! Carroll was baptized and confirmed at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion. His path in faith also brought about recognition with many other church congregations with interest with the Moravian Church in Zoar, OH, his assisting with the time capsule with St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marion, to the renovation of the former St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Marion. Over the past several year he attended as a parishioner at Epworth United Methodist Church in Marion. Growing up Carroll attended schools in the Marion County area starting off with Pleasant Local Schools, briefly at Marion City Schools and graduating at Ridgedale class of 1966. He started his college career first attending the University of Cincinnati and later completing his degree in Art Education with the Ohio State University in 1971. While there he designed the shield placard initially placed on Morrill Hall at the Marion campus. Carroll served in the United States Army Reserves PV 2 with an honorable discharge in April 1972. He also worked at the United States Postal Service through college and started his teaching career as an art instructor at Elgin Local Schools in the early-mid 1970s simultaneously teaching art/continuing education courses at the Ohio State Marion Campus until the early 1980s. He also worked construction projects in restoration from skills he obtained as a boy and teen growing up on the family farm in Pleasant Township. He repaired slate roofs and became a "Hex Meister" painting and recreating hex signs on barns. With his love of history Carroll lived many weekends in Zoar, Ohio assisting John and Linda Smucker with one of their businesses in the 1980s and in referencing his lineage of his family's German migration in Ohio in the 1800s. He served as the generational bridge from his German grandparents to the newer family generation. His career path proceeded along in his partnership business producing print advertising and art and fundraising projects for various organizations. This later developed in merging his construction skills with restoration design, planning, and the subsequent implementation of those same projects mainly focusing on older residential homes and small commercial buildings. Carroll was instrumental in activating with neighboring downtown Marion businesses along with the assistance of Marion Area Regional Planning Marion's first Downtown Marion Community Block Development Grant successful application in the late 1980's – early 1990s having owned several buildings. He worked on projects for the George Alber home and farm, Timberfamers Guild, Greenwood and Sons locally building architectural elements and also received a public awareness award presented by the Ohio Historical Society in 1979. Carroll was an active participant in many community organizations. He, most notably, was the last surviving charter member of the Marion County Historical Society in 1969 and served on the Marion County Fair Board which he was involved in the reassembly of the Seiter-Wilhelm log cabin at the Marion County Fairgrounds. He had been member of the Harding Memorial Association and most recently served as a board member of the Huber Memorial Association Museum. He had previously owned and resided in the original Timothy Fahey farmhouse. Carroll also harnessed his talent and skills in writing news articles, appearing as a guest on local radio programs to even a small gig in local TV news broadcasting. He wrote and illustrated small books mainly focusing on local and farm stories and lore and produced pen, ink and pencil illustrations. He brought several national authors to the Marion Area that featured books on Florence Harding and the Underground Railroad. During his life he spoke at hundreds of speaking engagements as well. Carroll is survived by his mother and husband of 5 years and partner for 37 years, Scott Crider along with three brothers David A. (Pam) Neidhart, John E. (Jill) Neidhart, Richard K. (Lisa) Dune and sisters and brothers Marsha (Steve) Adams, Dick (Pam) Dune, Joe Neidhart and sister Loralee and Bob and Donna Barkley. And he is further survived by nephews and nieces Kristin (Andy) Nicolosi, David (Megan) Neidhart, Ashley (Brent) Gregory, Johnny E. Neidhart, Heather (Eddie) Lindsay, Amanda (Mike) Neiderhuber, Katie (Michael) Kelly, Emily (Radhim) Nazerali and their families. Sisters Veronica Sue Herr and Rebecca Mitchell, nephew Adam Neidhart, and step-father Richard C. Dune proceeded him in death along with his mix German Shepherd dog family Midnite and Lady. His family will greet friends from 10 – 11 am on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 East Center Street Marion, Ohio, with his funeral service following there at 11 am, with Rev. Jennifer Bass officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council following the service. Afterwards, some of Carroll's art work will be displayed and refreshments will be served in the parlor from noon until 2 pm. Burial will take place in Marion Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Marion County Historical Society, 169 East Church Street Marion, Ohio 43302 or through their website. The family would like to extend its thanks to the care provided to Carroll by Tranquility Hospice and the Presidential Post Acute Nursing Facility. Snyder Funeral Homes, Denzer Chapel, are honored to serve Carroll's family and your favorite memories and condolences may be shared with them via www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carroll David Neidhardt, please visit our floral store.