Crista Scobel- Sullens

Cristia Scobel Sullens, 73, died on Jan. 25, 2026, as winter storm Fern blew in.

Cristia was born Sept. 6, 1952, in Orrville, to Carol (Schmid) Scobel of Orrville and Don Scobel of New York City.

Cristia was the third generation of the Schmid family to live in Orrville. Grandfather William Schmid owned and operated the Smith Dairy with his brothers, and Grandmother Lila (Stevenson) Schmid worked to improve conditions in the black community.

Cristia's grandparents served Orrville on bank, hospital and church boards, contributed to Schmid Hall, and quietly made it possible for many people to go to college, buy farms, and grow up in families.

Cristia was proud of her heritage in Orrville. The best part of every year of her childhood was spending time in the home built by Will and Lila in Orrville, and staying with cousins at the cabin

Will built on his dairy and tree farm in Dalton. It was in the sweetest part of Ohio farmland, there were cows in pastures and a barn hewn from black walnut, a teeter-totter made from a tree and a swing that soared, a pond and trails through the woods, and their mothers Jane, Marian and Carol were nearby, catching up. Caring for cows with her brother Quentin was Cristia's first experience with midwifery, but not her last.

Cristia married John Steven Sullens on Dec. 6, 1975, and they shared 43 years as a union of unique people devoted to each other. She was a travel agent who led groups to foreign countries, he was a baker who made bread for people at home. They were members of different churches; she was Unitarian and he was Lutheran, but they loved each other's congregations and were personal friends with each other's pastors. They loved their families, singing with their friends, and the many animals who made them happy.

Later Cristia worked in health care where she assisted in birth and surgery and took the baby pictures. Once when a baby had died, Cristia comforted a bereaved mother who was too overwhelmed to want her baby's photograph. She helped the mother see that sorrow changes, and her daughter was a memory she would cherish one day. Cristia took such care with that photograph.

The family came back years later to tell her how much it still meant to them, and how what she said had helped them get through the first days, and weeks, and then

the years.

Cristia and John moved back to Orrville and the same house built by her grandparents and filled it with pets and treasures. Cristia felt the presence of the family that went before her there and was honored to be its caretaker. The house itself was an inspiration.

In her last years she amazed not only friends and family, but health care personnel who witnessed her do the impossible: survive falls and go home. Every episode of "Survivor" seemed to renew her grit.

Cristia had a talent for attracting good people. She was surrounded by the best of them, and grateful for each of them.

Cristia is preceded in death by her faithful husband John, her beloved brother Quentin Scobel, cousins Leslie Besst Blanton and Claudia Nordstrom Larcombe, and a pack of pets led by Peanut and Bailey and ending in Bear and Maggy the Bad Dog.

She is survived by sisters Meg Scobel Wiggins and Jenny Scobel, Cousins Carla Nordstrom, Becky Nordstrom, Martha Nordstrom, Patricia Besst Wind, Billy Besst and Keith Besst, nephews and their families, and the many friends she treasured.

A memorial is planned at the house she loved later in the year. Pets are welcome.

Custer-Glenn Funeral Home in Wooster is assisting the family.

Condolences may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com