Linda Helen Frary, age 69, of Shelby, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at her home. Her death follows a year long battle with ALS.
Linda was born June 13, 1954 in Reading, PA to the late Roy Edgerton and Geraldine Ann (Bogart) Hansen. A 1972 graduate of Rogers High School in Michigan City, IN, she married Richard Leslie “Rick” Frary on February 1, 1975. Lin worked as an administrative assistant to numerous attorneys in both Indiana and additionally in Ohio following their move for Rick’s job.
Lin began working at the Richland County Court of the Common Pleas in 1993. She functioned as the court administrator for the General Division of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, serving Judge James D. Henson, Judge James DeWeese and Magistrate Garry Dalbey from 1996 to 2001. She also worked directly for Judge Henson from 2001 to 2004. In 2004 she ran for Richland County Clerk of Courts and became the face of the Richland County Clerk of Courts for nearly two decades, winning five different four-year terms in office. After winning the seat in 2004, Frary was re-elected in 2008, winning 58 percent of the vote in the November general election. She was unopposed in 2012, 2016 and 2020. Lin remained as Clerk of Courts until June 30, 2023 when retired due to her ALS diagnosis.
Linda was dedicated entirely to family and work. It was not worth trying to win an argument with her- you simply could not; and she truly had such a successful life and career built from her high school education. She was an active and dedicated member of the Richland County Republican Party and was a member of the Ohio Clerk of Courts Association (OCCA). With OCCA, Lin was an integral part of the new clerk orientation program. She was a lover of the Great Lakes, especially Erie and Michigan, and took every chance she could to take her grandchildren to Vermillion.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Rick; children: Jeff (Ginny) Frary of Crestline, Allen Frary of Columbus, Nate Frary (Rachel Shepherd) of Shelby and Lydia Dennin of Shelby; grandchildren: Zoe Frary, Damon Frary, and Camren Dennin; siblings: Laura Hansen Dean of Indianapolis, Nancy Riordan of Indianapolis, and Mike (Sue) Hansen of Atlanta; and several nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875. Graveside services will be private on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at North Oregon Cemetery, Oregon, Ohio. Pastor Dan Peterson will officiate the graveside services. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio (https://www.hospiceofnorthcentralohio.org/support-us/memorial-donation) or ALS Association (www.als.org/donate).
Online condolences may be left on Linda’s obituary post on the funeral home’s website (www.PenwellTurner.com) or their Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral).
Funeral Home: Penwell Turner Funeral Home
Website: www.PenwellTurner.com