Losing someone in a tight-knit community like Muskingum County isn't just a private family matter. It's a community event. When you're looking for obituaries for Zanesville Ohio, you aren't just looking for a date or a time for a service at a place like Hillis, Combs & Nestor. You're looking for the story of the guy who ran the meat processing shop or the teacher who taught three generations of kids at West Muskingum.
Honestly, finding these records has changed a lot lately. You used to just walk to the end of the driveway and pick up the Times Recorder. Now? Everything is scattered between funeral home websites, digital legacy walls, and social media.
Where the Real Zanesville Stories Live Now
If you need to find a recent notice, the local funeral homes are actually your best bet. They’ve basically become the primary publishers. Instead of waiting for a newspaper to print a condensed version, the funeral directors usually post the full, "unfiltered" life story online the moment the family gives the okay.
Take Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home or Bryan & Hardwick. Their websites are constantly updated. Just this week, you’ll see names like Michael David Hale Sr. or Karen S. Swingle. These aren't just names; they’re local histories. The funeral homes on Forest Avenue or Maple Avenue are often the first to have the visitation schedules—which is what most people are actually searching for when they type in "obituaries for Zanesville Ohio" anyway.
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The digital shift is real
It’s kinda frustrating if you aren't tech-savvy.
The Zanesville Times Recorder still handles memorials, but they often partner with Legacy.com now. This means if you want to leave a digital candle or a note, you’re going through a national platform rather than a local one.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye in Print
Let’s talk about something nobody likes to mention: the price.
Publishing an obituary in a traditional newspaper isn't cheap anymore.
In fact, many families in Zanesville are opting for "Death Notices" (the short version) in the paper and then putting the long, beautiful story on the funeral home’s website for free.
If you’re the one writing it, here’s a tip. Most people forget the "hometown" details. Did they love the Muskingum County Fair? Were they a regular at Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl? Those are the things people in Zanesville actually remember.
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Searching the Archives
Maybe you’re doing genealogy. Maybe you’re looking for a relative who passed away in the 90s.
The Muskingum County Library System is actually a goldmine for this. They have microfilm of the old papers that you just can't find on Google.
- The Times Recorder Archives: Most of these are behind a paywall now (GenealogyBank or Newspapers.com).
- Funeral Home Digital Walls: Often go back 10–15 years.
- The John McIntire Library: Best for the "old school" deep dives.
How to Write a Zanesville Obituary That Resonates
Don't just list the survivors.
That's the boring part.
Talk about their work at Owens-Illinois or their years farming out in Hopewell or Duncan Falls. People here appreciate hard work and longevity.
If you are submitting to the Times Recorder, they usually want the info by a certain cutoff time if you want it in the next day's print. You can call them at 888-823-8554, but honestly, have your funeral director do it. They have the "ins" and the formatting down to a science, which saves you a massive headache during a week when you’re already exhausted.
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Avoid these common mistakes:
- Missing the time/location: People will call the funeral home all day if you don’t clearly state the service time.
- Spelling names wrong: Double-check the grandkids' names. Trust me.
- Vague donation info: If you want money to go to the Animal Shelter or a local church, include the specific address.
Final Practical Steps
If you are currently searching for a friend or loved one, start by checking the Hillis, Combs & Nestor, Bolin-Dierkes, or Snouffer websites directly. They update faster than the newspaper's search engine. If you're looking for a service at a specific church like St. Thomas Aquinas or North Terrace Church of Christ, the funeral home page will always have the most accurate "boots on the ground" info.
For those trying to preserve a legacy, consider saving a digital copy of the obituary. Digital links can break over years, but a PDF or a printed copy in a scrapbook ensures that the "obituaries for Zanesville Ohio" search for your family ends with a story that lasts.
Actionable Insight: If you can't find a recent Zanesville obituary online, call the local library's reference desk or the specific funeral home handling the arrangements. They often have the "pending" details before they hit the public web.