David E. Case Jr.

Rev. David E. Case, Jr.

MANSFIELD: Rev. David E. Case, Jr., 67, died unexpectedly in his home, Saturday, January 24, 2015. He was born in Jamestown, New York on August 12, 1947, the son of Dave E. Case, Sr. and the late Ruth L. Swart.

Rev. Case graduated from Jamestown High School, Jamestown, New York in 1965; Taylor University in 1969; and from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, in 1972. David was an ordained Elder in the Eastern Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church for 43 years, where he served several United Methodist churches before retiring in 2010.

While attending Jamestown High School, David sang in the A'Capella Chorus, the Men of Tomorrow, was a member of the National Honor Society and played starting offensive and defensive guard with the undefeated Jamestown Red Raider football team in his senior year. That team was recognized during a home game in October 2014 as part of the 50 year recognition of that undefeated season.

Rev. Case was an avid reader, was a huge proponent of education and extremely proud of his children's academic accomplishments. He enjoyed traveling, fly fishing, as well as tying his own trout flies, was a loyal Cleveland Browns and Indians fan. In earlier years, he enjoyed woodworking with his late father-in-law, Robert Bennett of Sharon, Pa. While appointed to the Alliance, Ohio, United Methodist Church, he served as adjunct professor, teaching religion, at Mt. Union University.

Robert Kennedy, a liberal hero of Rev. Case once said, "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strokes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current...". Perhaps it is thus, that Dave so often stated, "Catch ya the waterfalls".

Jeffrey Case, in speaking of his brother states, "The vast library that was Dave's mind has closed its doors. Any books still check out are yours to keep".

Rev. Case was preceded in death by his step-father, Rev. L. Maring Swart, who died March 13, 1995; his mother, Ruth L. Swart who died November 5, 2005; and his step-son, Stephen Stiles who died June 27, 2014. He is survived by his beloved wife, Esther Harrison Case whom he married June 24, 2004; his father, David E. Case, Sr. of Painesville, Ohio; children, Ryan B. Case of Hackensack, NJ, Kalin A. Case of Kingston, NY; step-sons, "Skip" Stiles and Aaron Hakes, both of Benson, AZ; brothers, Jeffrey S. Case (Wendy) of Jamestown, NY, Rev. Jon M. Swart (Annette) of Russell, PA; sister-in-law, Rhoda Bullock (Tom) of Sharon, PA; mother-in-law, Rosemary Harrison of Allegany, NY; seven step-grandchildren; six step great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating David's life will be held Friday, January 30, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Ontario United Methodist Church, 3540 Park Avenue West, Ontario, Ohio. The family will begin receiving friends at 12:00 p.m. Memorial may be made to Harmony House, 124 W. 3rd St., Mansfield, OH 44902. The Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.

Online guest registry at www.wappner.com