Bessie G. Fensler

Bessie Menefee Fensler entered Heaven on February 16, 2024.  She had made her preparation for this day many years.  Born in Wirt County, WV on March 29, 1928 to Richard Menefee and Cora Maybelle Reynolds Menefee, she was the last surviving member of her family of 13 children.

She became a widow at age 51, when her husband Elmer (Bud) passed away in June of 1980.  She is survived by her children: Betty (Dennis) Dean, Elmer (Janice) Fensler Jr. and twins Brooke (Paul Buffington) and Brad (Robin) Fensler.  One son, Robert, passed away in 2012. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Brennan (Mary Jo) Dean, Nathaniel (Catherine) Dean, Nathan Fensler, Benjamin Fensler, Joseph Fensler, Richard (Emily) Ewing, Michael (Monica) Ewing, Rissa Mendez, Allie Mendez, and Scarlet Fensler.  She also leaves behind 6 great grandchildren: Spencer Dean, Sawyer Dean, Annie Dean, Elias Dean, Isaac Dean, and Chase Lentz.  She loved her children and grandchildren immensely and made them all so welcome at her big home in the country. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Jenny Bick was one who brought her lots of joy through the years.   One who was very special is Pam Menefee Beaber who took such an interest in caring for her as she became less able to handle her affairs.  We couldn’t have made it through this illness without her.

We want to thank the kind neighbors who made it possible for her to stay in her home:  Tom and Elaine Waller and JoAnn Pyle.  They were amazing. Additionally, among her many friends who made her life so much brighter were Tracy Meese and Victor Kennison. They visited her, brought her snacks and provided transportation to church. We also want to thank the staff at The Inn at Northwood Village who managed her care for the past year.  And, lest we forget, we are grateful for the excellent care she received from Hospice.   They showed so much kindness.

Bessie was a very active lady who managed her large property in the country for many years all by herself.   She was employed for many years by Dover schools. She was very active in her church.  For years she was a part of Zoarville Christian Chapel and in later life she joined the Church of the Nazarene in New Philadelphia where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was active in the Women’s Ministry.

The funeral service will be held at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory in Dover, Ohio on Friday, February 23, 2024.  Time of service is 11 AM.  Visitation is 1 hour before the service.  Rev. Terry Kidd will officiate. Burial will follow at the Brandywine Cemetery, not far from the old Fensler home where Bessie lived for 50 years.

She will be missed, but we look forward to Heaven and a grand reunion someday.  It may be soon!