Louise Thomas Cullar, 95, of North Lima, OH passed away on October 23, 2026 at home surrounded by family.

Louise was born in Johnstown, PA in 1931, the eldest of three daughters, to Kenneth and Mildred Thomas. She grew up in a house built by her family from field stones in the Allegheny Mountains. She graduated as valedictorian from Conemaugh Township High School and worked in a sewing factory before attending Goshen College in Goshen, IN where she met her husband, Harold. She attended Indiana State Teachers College in Indiana, PA and Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where she graduated with a B.S. in home economics.

Louise married Harold E. Cullar on June 23rd, 1951, at Thomas Mennonite Church in Thomas Mills, PA. They were married for 60 years before his death in 2011.

In 1954, Louise, Harold, and first daughter, Lynn, moved to Puerto Rico to mentor local farmers through the Ulrich Foundation. They welcomed their second daughter, Janice, during this important chapter in a life filled with family and service to others. In 1955, they returned to Ohio and settled on the family farm on Lynn Road in Beaver Township in North Lima. They built their home and had two more children, Kathy and Kenneth.

Louise and Harold were lifelong learners and explorers and instilled this in their children with annual camping trips throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico, often for five weeks in the summer. Following retirement, Louise and Harold traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America and visited the South Pacific, Asia, and the Middle East. They spent winters at their home in Sarasota, FL.

Louise taught home economics at Greenford, Youngstown East, and Woodrow Wilson high schools. She concluded her teaching career at the Mahoning County Joint Vocational School where she ran a preschool while teaching high school students childcare.

Louise was a long-time active member of Midway Mennonite Church in Columbiana, OH. She served several years as a board member for Harmony Village in Columbiana and served on the board of Laurelville Retreat Center in Mount Pleasant, PA.

Creative and adventurous, Louise designed her own wedding gown and sewed clothing for her children. She enjoyed reading, cooking and canning, birds and wildlife, and gardening. In summers, her table overflowed with homegrown flowers and vegetables. A gracious host, Louise often welcomed visitors, including extended family, friends, and Mennonite Your Way travelers. In winter, her sledding hill was always open to her church community and neighbors. She was generous and curious, and delighted in good stories, whether listening or telling them, especially ones about ancestors or antiques.

Above all, Louise loved her family and created a home to which they often returned. She fostered meaningful and deep relationships with each of her 12 grandchildren. They grew up spending summers and holidays with her on the family farm, and as adults treasured bringing Louise’s great-grandchildren to spend time with her in this special place. Daughter Kathy and son Ken raised their own families nearby, and in her last years, Louise’s daughters Lynn and Jan enjoyed spending extended time staying with her.

Louise is survived by her three daughters, Lynn (Karl) Swartzendruber of Plano, TX; Jan (Nano) Talanoa of Madera, CA; Kathy (Len) Holman of Boardman, OH; and one son, Ken (Dawn) Cullar of North Lima, OH. She also leaves behind cherished grandchildren Lora, Keri, Paul, Aaron, Elane, Mark, Holly, James, David, Jonathan, Anna, and Andrew and 16 great-grandchildren. Louise is survived by sisters Lila Stetter of Plant City, FL and Elsie Fetterman of Davidsville, PA.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, and grandchild John Talanoa.

Louise was buried in a private graveside service. A visiting hour welcoming family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 28th at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Midway Mennonite Church, Columbiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) (mcc.org/get-involved/giving), Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) (MEDA.org/donate), or Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant, PA (laurelville.org/donate-support-laurelville).

The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.