Nancy Rader Obituary

Nancy Lou Rader

Nancy Lou Rader, 91, of Findlay, died peacefully the evening of Friday, April 11, 2025, at The Birches in Villa Rica, Georgia.

Nancy was born October 3, 1933, in Ashtabula, the daughter of William Metcalf and Bonita (Snider) Metcalf. After graduating from Ashtabula High School, she enrolled at Bowling Green State University, where she majored in elementary education. At BGSU, she was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

She married Gerald Ivan Rader, whom she had met on a blind double date in college, at First Methodist Church in Ashtabula, June 5, 1954. She demonstrated the skills she would later need to juggle the busy schedules of her three children in planning her own wedding. Gerald graduated from BGSU on June 4; they drove to Ashtabula the same day in time for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The next day was the wedding, followed by another reception. The honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains was their next stop after spending their wedding night in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. They were back in time for Nancy's summer school on the 11th. What an itinerary! Gerald began work at the Ohio Oil Company, and Nancy completed her student teaching in Findlay before they left for his active-duty service in the Army, which he served in both Oklahoma and Maryland. Their first child, Pamela, was born while stationed in Annapolis. Following Gerald's army service, the couple moved back to Findlay, where Gerald returned to work at the Ohio Oil Company. Their two sons, Mark and Timothy, were born there. Nancy was a wonderful mother to her three children, opting to be a stay-at-home mom while raising her family, although she did utilize her degree as a substitute teacher.

A long-time member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Findlay, she taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, accompanied on the piano, and more. During summers spent at Black Lake, Michigan, she served in many of the same ways at the United Methodist Church in nearby Onaway. Both Nancy and Gerald were lifelong supporters of BGSU.

Nancy loved people and made friends wherever she went. She enjoyed entertaining and traveling. She was also a keen bridge player for most of her life, and she was a gifted pianist who could sit down at a keyboard and play nearly anything "by ear."

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and by a brother, Vier Metcalf.

She is survived by her three children, daughter, Pamela (Howard) Hull of Coniston, Cumbria, United Kingdom; son, Mark (Susan) Rader of Spring Valley, Minnesota; son, Timothy (Laura) Rader of Villa Rica, Georgia; grandchildren, Kyle (Kristina) Rader, Joel (Younji Choi) Rader, Austin Rader, and Olivia Rader; five great-grandchildren, Emmalyn Rader, Ellison Rader, Joshua Rader, Ari Rader, and Ruby Rader; and two sisters-in-law, Janice deRidder of Geneva and Joyce Metcalf of Ellenton, Florida.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 700 E. Melrose Avenue, Findlay, with visitation beginning one hour prior to service. HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, (419) 422-1500) is honored to serve Nancy's family.

In Nancy's honor, memorial donations can be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 700 E Melrose Ave, Findlay, OH 45840, or a cause of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.huffordfh.com.