Roy Loudenslager
A man of purpose and integrity, Roy A. Loudenslager, age 89, died peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with his loving family by his side at the Kingston Residence of Marion. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, devotion, and generosity. Born to farm, Roy found deep meaning in working the land, tending to livestock, caring for his family, and faithfully serving his community. His life was a testament to steady dedication—where actions spoke louder than words and the work he did spoke for itself. Those who knew him will remember a man whose strength was humble, whose values were unwavering, and whose impact will endure for generations.
On November 27, 1935, Roy was born at home on the family farm the second of three children of the late Forest D. and Catherine F. (Holdridge) Loudenslager. He graduated from Morral High School in the class of 1953. During school, Roy thrived in the FFA program, earning the Star State Farmer and American degrees.
In 1954, Roy was a camp counselor helping run a youth church camp up in Lakeside, Ohio, where a friendship started with Judith “Judy” Campbell who was attending with the Morral United Methodist Church. From there, the rest is history. They dated while she was in high school, and were married a year after she graduated on July 27, 1958, at Epworth United Methodist Church. They truly were the perfect match for one another, sharing 63 wonderful years of marriage together. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2021.
Less than a year after getting married, Roy was drafted to serve his beloved country in the US Army. During most of his service, he was stationed in Bamberg, Germany, where he was in command of a Self-Propelled Anti-Tank (SPAT) gun, and earned the rank of sergeant. Roy felt blessed to have Judy join him during 6 months of his time in Germany, where they made dear friends, they would stay connected with the rest of their lives.
For Roy, there was never any doubt about what he wanted to do with his life. He always knew, he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Forest, grandfather, Al, and great-grandfather, Jacob. Roy was born to be a farmer, and he and his brother, Don, became the fourth generation to carry on their family’s farming business and endeavors. Roy and Don were chips off the old block, each learning all they could from their father, Forest, each helping to take their farm to new heights. They quickly learned the Loudenslager family mottos of “where a little will do, a lot will do better” or “go big or go home”. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, they grew all aspects of their livestock farm, including raising 10,000 plus sheep a year. From the late 1960’s, until the early 1990’s, they grew their hog operations on the farm. With Don focusing much of his efforts on the pork production, Roy focused on caring for the cattle, growing and marketing their crops, and overseeing the book work. He believed in being self-sufficient, even taking classes on mechanics, so he could fix or have a better idea of how to fix all equipment on the farm. Once their father, Forest, retired in the 1970’s, they renamed the farm, Loudenslager Sons. Roy was extremely proud to have his daughter, Lynn, and grandson, Jonathan, carry on the family farm, making it into a 6th generation family farm. For Roy, the farm was all he ever knew and what he truly loved.
Over the years, Roy took great pride in mentoring young farmers, hosting internships for the Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster for many years. He also served on the Ohio Soybean Council, where he was a past president. He also was active with the American Soybean Association (ASBA), and was appointed to the United Soybean Association for his dedicated service to the soybean industry.
In the 1970’s, Roy took advantage of the GI Bill, using it to help him earn his private pilot’s license and several ratings including instrument, multi engine, and commercial. At the time, he also was a director of the National City Bank in Marion, where he saw the need for checks to be able to be cashed quicker. To help expedite the process, he would regularly fly the checks to Cleveland. He and Judy became members of the Ohio Flying Farmers, where he even served as President, and they were members of the International Flying Farmers. He enjoyed flying for many years, and he cherished the many friendships made on those flights.
In 1986, Roy partnered with three other investors to start a Case International Harvester Equipment dealership in Upper Sandusky. Over the years, they grew the business to become Evolution Ag managing 6 locations.
Very philanthropic, Roy and Judy carried their belief of “where a little will do, a lot will do better” mentality to all of the organizations they gave their time and efforts to. They were actively involved in countless organizations, including the Marion County Farm Bureau and the Marion County Republican Central Committee. They were active members of the Epworth United Methodist Church, where he served as usher. He and his brother-in-law, Ralph Brown, were the last two charter members of the Ridgedale Lions Club, both serving on the club for 60 plus years, and earning the Melvin Jones Fellow award. He served on the board for the Grand Prairie Cemetery for many years.
Through the culmination of Roy’s life work, in 2015, he was honored to be inducted in the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. He was inducted with his brother, Don, again following in their father’s footsteps who also was inducted in 1978.
The consummate hosts, Roy “was the host with the most” and Judy was the “hostess with the mostest” for any and all occasions. They loved hosting everything from Army reunions to extravagant meals for prizes for the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce auctions. They truly loved welcoming family and friends into their home, and spoiling them with Judy’s excellent cooking. They were a dynamic duo in every way, including being card sharks together, showing no mercy to whoever they were playing euchre against. Anyone who knew Roy, knew his proudest achievement was his precious marriage to Judy.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn & Brant Zucker of Marion; three grandsons: Benjamin (Amanda) Zucker, Joshua (Jasmine) Zucker, and Jonathan (Alyssa) Zucker; two great-grandsons: Campbell Zucker and AJ Zucker; a sister and brother-in-law: Jane (Ralph) Brown; a sister-in-law, Reva Loudenslager; numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends; and the family and farm caretaker, Rick Craycraft.
Including his wife and parents, Roy was preceded in death by his brother, Don Loudenslager.
His family will greet friends from 4-7 pm on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Epworth United Methodist Church (address below). Services honoring his life will also be held there at 10:30 am on Saturday, with Rev. Jennifer Bass officiating. For those unable to attend his funeral service on Saturday, a recording will be posted on the Snyder Funeral Homes, Denzer Chapel Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DenzerChapelSFH) later that day. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Community Foundation, c/o Loudenslager & Zucker Family Fund, 504 S. State St., Marion, OH 43302 (https://marioncommunityfoundation.org/fund/loudenslager-zucker-family-fund/), Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion, OH 43302, Ridgedale Lions Club, 2695 Hillman Ford Rd, Morral, OH 43337; and the Marion County Farm Bureau Scholarship Fund, 1495 W. Longview Ave., Ste 203, Mansfield, OH 44906.
On behalf of his family, they would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” first and foremost to Rick Craycraft for his countless years of going above and beyond for Roy and Judy doing everything from taking care of the hogs on the farm to taking them to their doctor appointments. Also, to the amazing caregivers with Kingston Residence of Marion and Tranquility Hospice.
Snyder Funeral Homes, Denzer Chapel, are honored to serve Roy’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.